Is your child depressed? Pay attention to these silent signs

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in ways more than one. In between the struggle to adjust to a new normal of social distancing, wearing face covers and worrying about contracting infection every single time we step a foot out of the door, the pandemic has also caused a wave of mental health issues. As the adults of the household deal with coronavirus blues, we often forget to look after the little minds that are cooped up inside the houses as well.

In a society, where people reject the notion that fully-functioning, seemingly happy people can get depressed, the taboo related to childhood depression is even more deep-rooted. Even the most well-intentioned adults may feel that children don’t really have anything to worry or get depressed about as they are so young.

This may be the exact reason that childhood depression is not even acknowledged, let alone studied extensively in India. According to research published by the Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, there is limited data available on depression in children and adolescents in India.

The study also evaluated previous studies to understand the factors behind depression in children and adolescents in India. From education (related to studies), familial issues, economic factors, peer pressure, social isolation to relationship issues in the familial context, there is a wide variety of factors associated with the development of depression in children.

It is important to note that depression in children is a real mental health condition as 10-20 per cent of adolescents globally are battling mental health conditions (WHO report.) Another scary fact to be noted is that suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 19-year-olds, according to the World Health Organization. Yes, an undiagnosed depression may even lead to the development of suicidal tendencies in children, which is why it is extremely important to identity symptoms of childhood depression.

Parents take note of the following symptoms and consult a medical care professional if they persist for two or more weeks:

1. Loss of interest in games and fun activities

2. Significant weight loss

3. Having difficulty concentrating

4. Loss of appetite

6 Persistent irritation, sadness and feelings of hopelessness

7. Evident increase or decrease in sleep

8. Withdrawal from social activities

9. Restlessness

10.Constant fatigue and lethargy

11. Occasional agitation, anger or violent outbreaks

12. Constant depressive thoughts

13. Speaking about death or suicide