Does your child seem unusually sad, irritable, or noticeably quiet?

Feeling frustrated and distressed at the time of the big shutdown due to the Corona pandemic is inevitable, but depression is more than just feeling sad or spending bad days, a child who appears to be stuck in a negative mood, feels despair and unable to enjoy anything, may suffer from depression and may Needs help to recover.

Although depression often begins in adolescence, mental health experts confirm that there is a relationship between major events and depression in children.

Childhood depression differs from normal "depression" and the daily emotions that occur during a child's development. It does not necessarily mean that the child is sad or has experienced emotional and psychological changes that he suffers from depression, but if sadness persists or interferes with normal social activities, interests, school work, or family life, this may indicate that the child suffers from depression, according to the WebMed (Webmd).

Mental health experts confirm a relationship between major events and child depression (agencies)

Types of depression

Children may experience various types of depression and mood disorders, and, according to Children's Health, the most common types of depression and mood disorders in children include:

1- Major Depression Disorder (MDD): It is diagnosed when the child suffers from severe or severe depression that lasts for more than two weeks.

2- Continuous Depression Disorder (PDD): The child has moderate symptoms of depression, but the symptoms may last for more than a year.

3- Depressive mood adjustment disorder : This diagnosis describes depressed moods that develop within three months after an unpleasant or stressful situation occurs, such as death in the family or separation of parents.

4- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): It is a form of persistent depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, and children with this type of depression tend to feel symptoms when daylight hours are shorter, as happens during the winter months in the northern hemisphere.

5- Bipolar disorder : Diagnosis of bipolar disorder describes episodes of mania or irritable moods and extreme behaviors that appear for most of the day, and almost every day for at least a week, alternating with episodes of depression.

However, bipolar disorder is rare in children, and sudden episodes of anger are not bipolar disorder.

6- Mental disorder (DMDD): It is diagnosed when a child over the age of six shows a strong and intense pattern of irritability, aggression, anger and severe and frequent episodes of anger, the child is almost every day continuously irritating or angry most of the day, even between episodes of anger.

Losing interest in activities he previously enjoyed was a major sign of depression (Bexabay)

Signs of depression

There are distinct and specific signs of depression in children, it may be necessary to pay attention to and note them specifically in the case of isolation and current closure due to the Corona epidemic, and among these signs:

1- Continuous sadness and despair, as a child who feels depressed suffers from sadness and despair and is unusually fast crying.

2- Losing interest in activities he used to enjoy in the past, and boredom from his favorite activities or sports.

3- Weight changes, as the appetite may increase or decrease in most people with depression, and the eating habits of depressed children will change, either by excess or refrain from eating it.

4- Sleep disturbances, whereby children who are depressed face problems during waking up or going to sleep continuously.

5- Laziness and sluggishness, so the child's interaction with others decreases, and his activity or play rates decrease.

6- Harsh self-evaluation, such as feeling low, whether in form, intelligence, or even his inability to make friends.

7- Nervousness, where the child shows signs of tension and anxiety and becomes very nervous.

8- The emergence of thoughts or attempts to commit suicide in the child.

The difference between sadness and depression

Dr. Mark Reneke, psychiatrist and director of the San Francisco Institute of the Mind of the Child, explains that some parents may get confused with the current suffering caused by the Corona virus, and it may be difficult to tell the difference between a child who feels sad, irritable, or exhausted by the crisis.

In an article posted on the Childmind Foundation, Renecki outlines three steps that parents should take to protect children from depression:

1- Pay attention to signs of depression:

If signs of depression persist for more than two weeks, medical intervention is necessary, while with sadness and despair spread widely and understandably during this crisis, it may be easier for family members to overlook the bad mood of their children if that mood and those signs change on a daily basis and not Lasts for a long time.

2- Enhancing the family environment

It gives children the satisfaction to share their thoughts and feelings, and parents are advised to sit with their children and explore their performance, listen to them and interact with them without judging them.

3- Take some necessary steps

This is for your child to participate if you feel prone to depression, including:

  • Encouraging him to engage in activities that give him a sense of accomplishment, fun or social media every day even if it is through internet applications.
  • Help your child avoid being overrated or obsessed with how bad things are, and tell him that the current crisis is over and things will return to normal.
  • Make plans with your child like watching a movie or cooking together.
  • Encourage children to tell every day and think about the things they are grateful for and the people they thank.
  • If your child continues to show symptoms of depression or suicidal tendencies, do not underestimate it. It is important to seek professional help through a specialist.