When children suffer from depression it is important to stop and help them; finding the cause and walking alongside them as they journey to get their “old self” back.
Depression in a child can stem from many different sources and not all depression is equal. Before you can help your child the help they need it is important to consider the source of their depression in order to get them the right treatment.
4 Major Childhood Depressive Symptom Sources.
1. Situational Depression – This is where someone or something causes a “black cloud” feeling. Once the “thing” or “situation” is removed the depression could dissipate. Seasonal affective disorder falls under this category (aka “the winter blues”).
2. Biological Depression – a wiring issue – Depression that stems from biological causes often can be generational. Can you see depression scattered through the branches of your family tree? For example, anyone in your family that has a consistent outlook on life where the glass is always “half empty”?
3. Grief – Depression symptoms from a loss of any kind can come in the form of grief. Grief, not just physical death, can come as a result of the loss of a 2 parent home through divorce, moving to a new town, transitions such as a new school or losing a friend group etc… Loss can cause short to long term depressive symptoms.
4. Abuse and Trauma – Unexplained depression can often present when a child is holding a secret of abuse. Abuse can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or sexual (bullying can fall under emotional abuse). Similarly, prolonged pain from a traumatic event can weigh heavily on a child and cause depressive symptoms as well.
With so many possible depression sources what can you do for your child? Well, for many children, learning coping skills along with problem solving skills in a safe environment can begin to promote a life giving change. This change over time may be just enough to lift their “black cloud” of depression. For other children a treatment plan that is a bit more extensive may be needed. An extensive treatment plan could include getting outside help to learn ways to deal with feelings and exploring helpful medications.
No two depression cases are the same, but there is always hope.
Susan Stutzman, LCPC, RPT – Owner/Founder of Kid Matters Counseling, P.C.
Susan Stutzman
Owner | Child Therapist | LCPC, RPT
I use the therapeutic power of play and child development research to achieve short-term, practical solutions to restore emotional stability for the child and peace in the home.
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