Understanding Childhood Depression

 However it is important to be aware of that while they may not be able to partake in the world as an mature adult they are just as able to feel the heart ache of depression as any other individual irrespective of age. The reasons for depression in youth are numerous but with the distressing increase of suicide rates in Australia it is important to attempt and notice some of the factors in a bid to help our loved ones.

A type of trauma in the child's life can commonly lead this downward spiral. Factors could include a divorce, going to a new school, bulling, low self esteem and losing someone who is dear to them. While numerous of these remain inalterable facts of life, as a parent or guardian it can pay to address these issues as serious and warily as they can effect the well being of your child. It is a error to misjudge the spectrum of a child's emotions and if the characteristic signs of depression are there action should be taken.

It is understandably at the same time hard for a parent to come to terms with their little boy or girl being depressed. It is only to easy to shrug it off particularly if they are good at hiding emotions , be assured mostly people will want help sometimes you just have to listen a slight bit harder. All you have to do is ask some questions and apply reassurance and love. Note when the child is not looking so sunny and be sensitive, make a habit of gently questioning about their day and things that you know are significant to them.

Learn how to identify depression and take the signs seriously, seek advice and help from professionals. The school counsellor at your child's school will offer free help for both parents and the child. If the problem is more serious than they will have the names of local professionals, centres and hospitals that can assist and council the whole family.

Hand in hand with depression comes guilt. Ironically not with the young patient but with the adult, questions like "What did I do wrong?" and "How did I not see this happening?" go whirling around your head combined with a sinking in your stomach. This is a hard stage because you need to know that you can't control how your child feels, you can't stop awful things happening and these things are not you fault. You need to concentrate on what you can do and what support you can present as a parent.

The home front is important in anyone's life and ideally should be a secure place where a child can feel accepted when the pressures of school, peers and generally the world are getting them down. But alas this is not always enough as the importance of a social circle so often overwhelm this. A supportive peer group can make all the difference, while it may take a period of time to find this it may be worth while looking into out side of school for this. Sports clubs, drama groups and youth groups are just some of the readily available activities which can provide aid in helping maintain a positive focus in anyone's life.