Childhood Depression—Causes, Signs, And Treatments

The 21st century has brought several changes in the world, some good and some bad ones. The pandemic was probably the worst of all. It has changed our lifestyle to a great extent; the children took the worst hit. With around two years confined at home, dramatic behavioral changes were seen in children who failed to cope in the social circle even in the post-covid era. 

Several companies like Playing Forward have developed state-of-the-art solutions, like Dr. Mooves A&D App, to beat anxiety and depression in children. It is a fun therapy that harnesses motion capture technologies to capture the movement of children and, ultimately, their mood. 

This blog entails several nuances about the increasing depression and anxiety in children presently found at large. 

What causes depression in children? 

The exact reason for childhood depression is yet to be known. However, several studies suggest that it could be caused by several factors like health, life events, family genetics, environment, and other social exposure.  

What are the signs of childhood depression?

It varies from child to child and their mood disorders. However, most of the symptoms of childhood depression go unnoticed by parents. The reason is that mood swings and other symptoms are often considered normal changes while growing up. 

Here are the symptoms you should look out for in your child.

• Changed appetite
• Sleeplessness or excessive sleep
• Perpetual sadness
• Difficulty in concentration
• Low-spirited and exhausted
• Guilt-ridden and worthlessness
• Increased sensitivity to a lot of factors
• Loss of interest in several activities
• Constant nauseated and headaches
• Social withdrawal
• Unexpected outbursts and anger

What are the treatments available for anxiety and depression in children? 

The treatment process is almost similar to those in adults, and the process is divided primarily into two stages.

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Combination of both 

Let's talk about the therapy first. CBT or Cognitive-behavioral-therapy can effectively address depression and anxiety in children. It helps a child spot his bad behavior and encourages him to take control of his emotions through positive reinforcements. The therapy offers children a tool to cope with their anxiety and insecurities. 

Coming to the medication part, the most common antidepressant medications used on children are SSRIs or selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors. It triggers serotonin production in children, giving him a sense of happiness and well-being. However, care should be taken while putting your child on antidepressants. Look closer to see any changes or no changes in him. If no changes are witnessed, refrain from immediately stopping him from taking pills, as it can negatively affect him. Consult with the psychotherapist before. 

Ending note 

Whatever be the reason for anxiety and depression, the situation can be reversed with holistic treatment and conditioning. If you are worried your child is showing signs of depression, try the Playing Forward App For Depression Patients.