Depression in children and adolescents
Depression in children and adolescents ..
Is there such a thing anyway?
And how does this manifest itself?
Until a few decades ago the diagnosis of depression in children was not yet "officially available", it was assumed that children can not be depressed ... But why? Because they do not have enough life experience? Because they still do not "get a head" thus allowing them like adults? Because they may feel about no long-lasting sadness? Because they can not "ruminate"? The all are questions that go to me as a psychotherapist for children and young people through your mind when I children (and young people) experience, showing a very blurry and not very tangible problem behavior ... and just have problems, their entire "bad mood" and everything related to it, to put into words.
And there lies the peculiarity: depression show up in children in a very different form than in adults or adolescents. It is not often make this typical brooding or self-To-Everything-thoughts, the typical sadness that we sometimes see in adults already on facial expression and body posture. Children show rather untypical behavior. For example you are irritable, have physical ailments, are aggressive, show mood swings or trouble concentrating or are suddenly very fearful separation and retire, have no desire in physical activities. Also, sleep and eating disorders to weight loss or gain occur.
Young people are more prone to negative future expectations and low self-confidence, feel everything is hopeless and meaningless, are often tired, maybe develop fears, power disturbances, suicidal thoughts or turn to alcohol and drugs. Young people can often develop aggressive behavior, restlessness and bad mood or even antisocial behavior in the context of depression ... because you do not think as parents or teachers first time: "The / The determined suffers from depression."
Therefore, it is in my opinion more important that you remain open to the thoughts and feelings that are hidden behind a childhood, "Bucky" facade or a juvenile "stubbornness" with a sudden problem behavior. But be open also means stubborn and still patiently stay tuned ... and insert rejection.
"Depression is not a sign of personal failure, deal with difficult life circumstances, but a disease. A depressed child is not lazy, aggressive or unbearable, because it will be so. A depressed child is sick and needs help. A depressed child is also no reason to doubt the parenting skills, but there is a reason to seek professional help. "
Last but not least, of course, the question remains: What the heck is normal at that age? What belongs particularly to puberty and passes over the months and years of self? Of / acts closed, irritable, brooding or bored Not every / r teenagers, is equal depressed. Here the boundaries between normal and depressive development, making an unambiguous timely diagnosis is often missed and is adequately addressed too late.
Incidentally, there are very different study results on the incidence of depression in childhood and adolescence. The probability of occurrence is in school children at 1-3% in adolescents at 3-5%, where (as in adults) girls / women are affected much more frequently. 5-10% of adults in Germany are affected by depression.
The article author sinking Koelle-Bork, is approved for children and adolescents psychotherapist.
Source: http://www.buendnis-depression.de/depression/kinder-and-jugendliche.php
