Depression is something that can take over a person’s life, causing them to detach themselves. They detach from the people around them while isolating themselves and avoiding conversations. There are many people who suffer from depression. And unfortunately, it is not something that only has a negative impact on teenagers and adults. Sad to say, young children can suffer from depression too. It helps to know how children with depression tend to act. If you can see the signs quickly, you are more aware of the situation if your own child is suffering or not.
Signs of Depression in Young Children
Not all children will act the same way when they are feeling depressed.
- Some children start acting out because of the way they feel.
- They may no longer listen to what their parents are telling them, and they might even begin acting out in school.
- They may cause disruptions while refusing to do the work that everyone else is doing in class.
- Other people may think the child is badly behaved but that is not always the case. In many instances, the child is behaving badly because he or she does not know how to deal with the feelings of depression in an appropriate manner.
- While some children begin displaying bad behavior, other children may start eating much less or much more than they normally would. If a child has lost his or her appetite for days or weeks, the parents should step in to find out what is going on. Some children start eating more food because they find comfort in the different meals they are eating. Drastic weight loss or weight gain could be potential signs of childhood depression.
- Some children will detach from their friends and avoid social settings.
- Some kids struggle to do much of anything, including extracurricular activities that they used to enjoy participating in. If your child suddenly has no interest in any of the things he or she used to love, you should talk with your child to find out the reason behind the sudden detachment.
There are many children with depression living in the United States and even around the world. Children can display different types of behaviors when they are feeling depressed. These include acting out and behaving badly. They might detach themselves from their friends. Some no longer show an interest in any of their favorite hobbies. If you are worried that your child may feel depressed, it is the right time to have a talk with him or her.