- Introduction:
- Children can experience depression despite the misconception that childhood is carefree.
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Kids often lack the language to describe their feelings, so adults must recognize the warning signs.
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Types of Depression in Kids:
- Clinical Depression: Chronic, not tied to a specific event.
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Situational Depression: Triggered by emotional upheavals, like a loss.
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Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Persistent sadness, loss of interest, appetite changes, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Long-lasting depression with intermittent breaks; symptoms include irritability and low self-esteem.
- Bipolar Disorder: Alternating episodes of depression and mania (raised mood); symptoms include anxiety, indecision, and risk-taking.
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Cyclical severe depression tied to menstruation; includes mood swings and fatigue.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression linked to reduced sunlight, most common in winter months.
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Atypical Depression: Depression lifted by positive events but recurring with normal routines; includes fatigue and sensitivity.
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Warning Signs of Depression in Kids:
- Withdrawal from activities, family, or friends.
- Declining academic performance.
- Sleep changes (too much or too little).
- Appetite and weight fluctuations.
- Expressions of guilt, fear of rejection, or feeling misunderstood.
- Crying, self-harm, or discussions about self-harming.
Specific to Types:
- MDD: Physical complaints, substance misuse, low self-esteem.
- PDD: Symptoms may temporarily subside but return cyclically.
- Bipolar: Mood swings, agitation, tantrums, and risk-taking behavior.
- PMDD: Severe cyclical mood swings, misdiagnosed as PMS.
- SAD: Mood changes linked to seasonal sunlight exposure.
- Monitoring for Depression Online:
- Kids' digital lives can provide clues, as depression-related language may appear in messages, posts, or emails.
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Bark tools: Monitor content, screen time, and web activity to detect signs of depression or suicidal ideation.
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Parental Actions:
- Stay observant for behavioral changes and mood patterns.
- Maintain open communication about emotions and struggles.
Depression Phrases and Slang Parents Need to Know:
- Understanding Depression in Kids:
- Depression goes beyond sadness; it affects thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
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Common symptoms in kids include:
- Changes in social behavior \udc6b
- Sleep disruptions \udca4
- Academic struggles
- Neglect of self-care or hygiene
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Talking about suicide.
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Common Depression Phrases:
- "Nothing matters": Signals loss of interest in activities.
- "Everything is so hard": Reflects overwhelming struggles with daily tasks.
- "I"9m just so tired": Indicates deep physical and emotional exhaustion.
- "You wouldn't understand": Expresses feelings of isolation and alienation.
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"My stomach hurts": Physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches may indicate depression.
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Teen Slang for Depression:
- Depressy: A humorous shorthand for feeling depressed.
- Grippy sock vacation: Refers to psychiatric care, referencing hospital-issued socks. \udde6
- Doom scrolling: Endless phone use that worsens mental health.
- Sewerslide: A code for suicide.
- Unalive: A code for dying or self-harm.
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I had pasta tonight / I finished my shampoo and conditioner at the same time: Code phrases expressing suicidal thoughts.
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Digital Signs of Depression:
- Kids often express struggles online through texts, posts, or private content.
- Depression slang is sometimes used to bypass content moderation on platforms like TikTok.
Remember: Recognizing and addressing childhood depression requires awareness of different types and their symptoms, especially as kids often struggle to express their emotions. Tools like Bark can assist in monitoring and early intervention.