Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Is your son a constant bundle of energy … always moving, unable to sit still, even for a few moments? Is your daughter easily distracted and forgetful, tending to frequently “have her head in the clouds”?

Maybe you’ve tried to calm your child down, or urged him to focus. You may have attempted to increase his nightly hours of sleep, adjusted his diet or encouraged him to get more physical exercise—yet nothing appears to be working.

Talking with Children About a Parent’s Depression

 

If a parent has clinical depression, then inevitably his or her children are going to be affected. The younger a child is when the parent becomes depressed, the greater the impact. Studies have shown that children of depressed parents have a higher risk of not only developing depression themselves, but additional problems with anxiety, academic performance, poor self-esteem, physical complaints, aggressive behavior, problems bonding and difficulty interacting with their peers.

Physical & Social Effects of Depression

The effects of depression can be devastating in all areas of a person’s life. The side effects of depression can often be seen at work, school and home as well as in the personal relationships of the patient. Diagnosis and treatment minimizes the effects of depression so early intervention is key. Without depression treatment, 40% of depressed individuals will still meet a diagnosis of depression after one year.

Depression Signs and Diagnostics

Signs of Depression

The signs of depression include markedly low or depressed mood, but this may show itself differently in different people. Signs and symptoms of depression include:¹

• Unexplained crying spells
• Negativity, a bleak feeling about the future, hopelessness
• Lack of interest in hobbies and activities
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Sleeping significantly too much or too little
• Irritability, restlessness; anger flares up over the littlest things
• Lack of energy, feeling physically drained; unexplained aches and pains
• Slow movement and thought
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Trouble making decisions, concentrating; troubles with memory

Depression In Parents

Schools are reporting more and more children entering who seem to be unable to meet the basic demands of sitting, paying attention, and controlling themselves. More and more children are placed in special ed programs. The number of children on Ritalin is rising at a truly alarming rate. No one knows why this is. Some blame Nintendo, some blame divorce, some blame two-career families.

Depression in Children

Depression in children is caused by a combination of three things: genetics, what is happening in a person’s life, and what is going on in their body. Usually, more than one is present in a child.

Depression in Men..!

Depression affects one in four people at some time in their lives and with today’s current climate of job insecurity, financial worries and unemployment more men are experiencing the illness. Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women due to acute depression.

Tips on Controlling Depression

Know that you’re not alone. Know that we are a silent legion, who, every day face the solipsism and judgement of Happy People Who Think We Just Aren’t Trying.  There are people who are depressed, people who have been depressed, and people who just haven’t been hit with it yet.