Depression

It can be hard to reconcile childhood depression, especially if your child is in a loving family, and goes to a good school, and has access to the things of childhood that kids generally like. It can be hard to figure out where the depression is “coming from,” to understand why your child seems so irritable all the time, or withdraws from opportunities to be with other people, or doesn’t seem to think anything is really fun anymore. As a parent, it can be hard to know what to do or what to say when your child just seems so unhappy all the time, and there doesn’t seem to be a ready explanation.

Kids can get depressed – not just teenagers, but kids, too. When kids get depressed it doesn’t always look like the adult version of depression. Sometimes depression in kids looks a lot more irritable and angry than classically sad. It can sometimes take the form of a chronic stomach ache, or a persistent reluctance to get out of bed, or like they’re just really stressed out. Almost always, no matter what form it takes it represents a noticeable departure from how your child used to behave, how they used to engage with the world, how they used to feel.

For parents, it can be really worrisome to see our kids like this. You might pour all of the love you have into your child to try and “love them” into feeling better. You might think some “tough love” is in order. And when these strategies don’t really work, it can feel confusing, and maybe even a little scary.

We have learned a lot over the last 20+ years about how to help kids (and adults…) who are suffering from depression. There are treatments that have a great track record of success, and that can bring kids relief so they can get back to being kids. The hardest part, oftentimes, can be acknowledging that your child isn’t just going through a phase, or isn’t just having a tough year, but is struggling from something they feel powerless over — and they need some help.

If your child is suffering – if you are suffering – please reach out. You might not believe it possible now, but you can feel better – and soon. Click here to schedule an initial, free consultation call so we can talk about what’s going on and see if treatment together feels right.