(soft music) - [Amanda] Hey, Psych2Goers. Welcome back to another video, and thank you all so much for being here. With your help and support, we're able to succeed in our
mission to make mental health and psychology more
accessible to everyone. So, thanks again. Before we begin, we would
like to make a disclaimer that this video is for
informative purposes only. It is not intended to treat
or diagnose any condition. If you're struggling, please reach out to a qualified
mental health professional. And with that said, let's continue. Depression can affect anyone
regardless of their age, which means it can also affect
children and adolescents. Statistics show that about 3% of children between the ages of three
to 17 deal with depression. However, the percentage tends to be higher in children older than 13. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 3.2 million
children and adolescents have had at least one
major depressive episode, and 31.9% have had an anxiety episode. The causes of childhood
depression can vary, but some are family history, bullying, environment or family problems,
physical illness, or stress. Despite common perception,
children do experience stress which can invariably, if left
untreated, caused depression. Unlike in adults, depression in children
presents itself differently. Symptoms vary from
irritability to low energy. If symptoms last longer than two weeks, it's best to reach out
to a healthcare provider. So, here are eight signs that
signal childhood depression. Number one, severe moodiness. Though children are usually moody and feel lots of heavy emotions, severe highs and lows can
be a signal of depression. For example, your child may
seem all right one moment, but suddenly they break out into an emotional outburst the next. Though, emotional outbursts
usually have a trigger, like a broken toy and emotional outburst without a defined trigger is
the symptom of depression. They may be dealing with emotions that they don't know how to
articulate, let alone cope with. Another sign of moodiness is irritability. They experience increased sensitivity and hence more bouts of irritability. This symptom can manifest
itself through angry fights, increased emotional sensitivity, increased anxiety, or emotional numbness. If you notice these symptoms
in your child, be compassionate and always willing to
listen without judgment. Puberty has difficult enough without having to deal
with mental health issues. Number two, low energy. A hallmark symptom of
depression is low energy. Your child may seem unwilling to do things or participate in daily tasks. They exhibit lethargic or extreme fatigue. Though this symptom is
commonly interpreted as anemia, especially in children,
it can also be depression. Depression represses
many neurotransmitters, namely serotonin. Serotonin helps you sleep, but more importantly, serotonin
helps you get REM sleep. Although your child may be
going to bed every night, they may be having difficulty getting the restorative sleep they need. Though for us adults, sleep aids like melatonin
or sleeping pills help, it's best to keep these
substances away from children. Number three, lack of
interest in fun activities. Depression robs you of
any joy or happiness. It sucks the color out of life, creating an out gray world in their eyes. If you notice that your child experiences a lack of
interest, please talk to them. Let them know that you're willing to
listen without judgment. If they're willing to speak to you, suggest help from children and young people's mental
health service specialists. Number four, change in eating habits. As a cause of lack of
interest and poor sleep, children can also experience
changes in their eating habits. Changes in eating and sleeping habits are telltale signs of
depression, regardless of age. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness can affect eating and sleeping patterns, causing your child to either
overeat or not eat at all. Food triggers chemical
responses in the brain, hence altering emotions. For example, cars trigger
a dopamine release, which allows your child to feel comforted whenever they eat a plate
of pasta or sugary pastries. To help them cope with
emotionally triggered changes in eating habits,
introduce a healthier diet filled with nutrients and vitamins that can help them cope
with depression better. Number five, feelings of
sadness or hopelessness. Depression is a mood disorder. It almost acts like the death
eaters in Azkaban prison. Depression can drain you of
all of your will and gumption. It can make a child feel
hopeless and worthless. At times, it can instill
feelings of guilt. Number six, behavioral problems at school. As a result of the other symptoms, they can exhibit behavioral
problems at school. This sign is more of
an indirect by-product of internal turmoil and
general irritability. They may end up starting fights at school or be talking back. Behavioral problems, especially at school, can be inconvenient and
irksome to deal with. However, if you suspect the lashing out is connected to depression,
try to be compassionate. They may be reluctant to talk about it, but let them know that
you're willing and ready to listen to them when
they're ready to talk. Number seven, declining grades. Another result is a
decline in their grades. A decline in their grades can happen gradually or immediately, but it's a sure sign that
they've lost interest. Declined grades can
also be a cry for help, by subliminally letting others know that they feel emotionally overwhelmed. And number eight, social withdrawal. One of the last symptoms
is social withdrawal. Extreme shyness can sometimes
be a sign of depression, though that's not always the case. They may seem hesitant to make friends or lose connection with
their current friends. Do you relate to this video? If so, please reach out to
your child with compassion and understanding, and talk to them if you notice any of
these depressive symptoms. Depression can manifest
itself in many different ways. However, if you notice
that your child or teen becomes increasingly focused on death, prefers isolation, starts
giving away their possessions, or as harming themselves, then these signs are especially concerning because they indicate that they've been thinking about suicide. Try and sit down and talk to them about what they're going through. They may not wanna talk
back, but this lets them know that there is someone there for them. Please seek professional help to deal with Some of the
symptoms discussed in this video. We'll also include the suicidal hotline in the description below. Don't forget to like and share
this video of it helped you, and you think it could
help someone else too. The studies and references used are listed in the description below. Hit the subscribe button
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