Does childhood depression exist and how not to miss the illness
Kyiv • UNN
The psychologist identified symptoms of childhood depression and the causes of digital addiction. Treatment requires a comprehensive approach involving both a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
In the modern world, depression can ruin the quality of life not only for adults but also for children and adolescents. Despite the fact that many Ukrainian parents find it easier to interpret what is happening to their child as laziness or the negative influence of gadgets, psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists are unanimous: childhood depression exists. And it is a serious illness that requires a scientific approach and comprehensive treatment.
Why depression occurs in primary school children and adolescents, how not to miss alarming symptoms, and who to turn to for help, UNN spoke with counseling psychologist, author, and member of the NPA Iryna Harmash.
Why children develop depression
Currently, several groups of factors are identified that can provoke the development of depression in children and adolescents.
There are biological, social, and psychological reasons for the development of depression in children
Biological factors are related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically serotonin and dopamine. One can also speak of a genetic predisposition to depression if someone in the child's family—parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents—had a confirmed diagnosis of clinical depression or other mental health issues.
But, as the psychologist emphasizes, neurotransmitter disruption and genetic predisposition do not mean that a child or adolescent will 100% have depression. These are rather factors that can increase the risk of falling ill.
Social factors are related to the child's environment.
We are social beings. Therefore, it is so important for a child to have support and close friendships both within the family and outside of it
Strong social ties build a child's trust in the world and contribute to stress resilience. Conversely, forced social isolation and bullying in a peer group can provoke an early onset of depressive states.
In addition, social causes of depression can include domestic violence or a difficult family situation. For example, when parents argue frequently or are getting divorced.
According to the psychologist, social causes that provoke depression include the family's financial situation (poverty) and war. The latter factor is particularly relevant for Ukraine, where hostilities have been ongoing since 2014.
Furthermore, as Iryna Harmash emphasizes, each child or adolescent may have a combination of all three groups of factors. Therefore, psychologists and psychotherapists consider each case individually.
Signs of depression in a child: what to pay attention to
The UNN interlocutor emphasizes: the first manifestations can be subtle, and therefore parents often do not pay attention to them. Or, when they do see them, they are not alarmed.
Most often, these include:
- feelings of sadness, hopelessness;
- unfounded irritability toward parents, friends, teachers;
- lack of interest in activities that were previously interesting;
- overeating or, conversely, refusal to eat;
- unfounded dissatisfaction with one's appearance;
- prolonged sleep (over 10-12 hours) or, conversely, insomnia;
- lack of vitality and energy;
- lack of focus, absent-mindedness;
- thoughts and statements about suicide.
In addition, according to Iryna Harmash, to get rid of unbearable emotional pain, children and adolescents may inflict pain on themselves: scratching or cutting their arms, burning their skin. Parents should be alerted by injuries that the child cannot logically explain. Another "red flag" is wearing closed clothing even in warm weather.
Also, warning "bells" that may be a sign that a child is thinking about suicide or planning to end their life can include:
- talk about death;
- social self-isolation;
- manifestation of several symptoms of depression at once;
- tearfulness;
- depressed mood;
- giving away personal belongings to friends;
- letters or messages on social networks that look like a farewell.
The psychologist emphasizes: self-harm and thoughts or talk about suicide are the red line that can no longer be ignored. Parents need to seek help from a child psychiatrist as soon as possible. Only a psychiatrist has the right to prescribe medication. It is impossible to purchase these drugs without a prescription, and self-medication can be dangerous and further worsen the child's condition.
Treatment of depressive states in children, according to Iryna Harmash, should be comprehensive and include both medication and visits to a psychiatrist, as well as work with a psychologist or psychotherapist.
"Digital depression" as a modern illness among children and adolescents: what parents need to know about it
Along with "traditional" clinical depression, modern children and adolescents may experience a condition that experts have already called "digital depression."
Psychologist Iryna Harmash explains: this condition has most of the signs of clinical depression but is related to adolescents' addiction to gadgets. It occurs due to dopamine spikes in the brain. This is how the central nervous system reacts to the pleasure of a quick victory in a virtual game or from online communication with friends. But after a sharp increase, a drop occurs, and the child finds themselves in a "dopamine pit" with depressive manifestations.
Digital depression can also occur when a child or adolescent is abruptly and categorically forbidden from using a phone, tablet, or laptop.
Iryna Harmash elaborates: as a rule, this mistake is made by parents who, due to daily chores, have long failed to pay attention to what the child does outside of school.
Often parents limit themselves to questions about what was served in the cafeteria, what subjects they had, and what grade the child received. No, that is also necessary. But the priority should be not formal, but full-fledged communication between the child and parents, where they take an interest in their life and hobbies
It is precisely because of the lack of full-fledged communication, in which the child can trust adults, that parents notice too late that the child has become addicted to gadgets. Usually, these are moments when the child may stay up all night playing on a phone or tablet, loses their appetite, and becomes irritable and aggressive. Adults blame the gadgets and confiscate them.
Left without what filled their life, the child feels emptiness and depression. Sleep is disrupted, appetite disappears. There may be tearfulness or, conversely, verbal aggression
She emphasizes that if parents notice such manifestations in their son or daughter, it is necessary to seek a consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist as soon as possible. And they, if they see the need, will refer the parents and child to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication support.
How to prevent depression in children and adolescents: psychologist's advice
Psychologist Iryna Harmash is convinced that depressive states in primary school children and adolescents can be prevented. She names several important factors that can protect a child's psyche.
First and foremost is a trusting, friendly atmosphere in the family. A child must feel safe and know that they will always find support among family and loved ones. Even life events such as the birth of another child, the death of a family member, or parental divorce should not take a toll on the child. The task of adults is to take maximum care of the primary schooler or adolescent who finds themselves in such life circumstances.
An important factor that helps prevent depressive states in children is nutrition. The psychologist compares the human body (and the brain in particular) to a high-precision and professional chemical factory where all processes are interconnected. That is why unhealthy food can cause a lack of microelements and vitamins necessary for the child's nervous system, which, in turn, can cause low mood and the onset of clinical depression.
Communication between the primary schooler or adolescent and parents, classmates, and friends plays a significant role. It should be encouraged in every way, and the child should be unobtrusively nudged toward having more real-life communication than screen time.
The presence of a favorite hobby that a girl or boy can engage in outside of school has a positive effect on the prevention of depressive states. Iryna Harmash cites an example from her practice where playing the keyboard helped one student cope with depression faster, while another was helped by a passion for chess.
A daily routine is also important. It is desirable for a child to fall asleep and wake up at the same time. This will contribute to the stability of the psyche. An hour before bed, it is important to give up gadgets, which only tire the eyes and excite the nervous system. Instead of a phone, the psychologist advises introducing one healthy habit into the child's life—a gratitude journal.
It can be just a notebook or a pad. Before bed, it's worth taking a few minutes to write down 3 to 5 things (or better yet, 10) to be grateful for from the passing day. It can be anything: from delicious food to a beautiful flower
The specialist advises turning to such a journal and re-reading it in moments when life seems difficult, bleak, and negative emotions begin to dominate.