Has Your Child Become Unusually Sad Or Irritable?

Does it seem as though your child is no longer interested in anything, from school work, to family time, to games and toys they used to love? Have you tried everything you can think of to help them feel better, but nothing has worked?

It may seem as though nothing makes your child happy anymore. Perhaps your attempts to brighten their mood with gifts, getaway trips or a cheerful demeanor go unnoticed, and your child’s mood and behavior continues to decline. You want to lift the dark cloud that looms over them, but no matter how much you encourage them to see the glass as half full, they insist that it’s half empty.

It’s possible that their academics are slipping, even as they withdraw from social groups. They may be creating excuses to get out of going to school or any events with peers, claiming their head hurts or they have a stomach ache. Maybe they’ve made it clear they no longer enjoy the extracurricular activities they once looked forward to. In fact, they may be begging to quit.

Or, perhaps your child is fighting you on every decision, refusing to comply with even the simplest rule. Their explosive and frequent outbursts happen unexpectedly, and their teachers are reporting more frequent classroom disruptions. Their displays of aggression may make you fear they’ll hurt a family member—or worse, that they’ll hurt themselves.

Are you feeling frightened and overwhelmed, looking for a way to understand what your child is going through? Do you wish you could give your child the tools they need to overcome life’s challenges with a sense of confidence and joy?

Symptoms Of Depression In Children Are Common

Most children feel sad, frustrated or irritable from time to time. It’s also common for signs of depression to present themselves—and equally common for those signs to be misunderstood. In fact, many adults mistake depression symptoms for everyday developmental angst. Although many people believe that depression is an adult issue, children can—and do—struggle as well.

Several factors can contribute to a child feeling depressed. Conflict among friends or family members is one example. There may also be a history of depression in their family, leading to a possible deficit in the child’s coping skills or an increased potential for negative thinking. Some kids are especially hard on themselves—especially in our competitive world, they think they should be better at academics or sports. This pressure to not just keep up but excel can be especially painful for children with learning difficulties.

Understandably, it’s often difficult for children to understand, process and express their emotions. Like countless other children who are quietly suffering, your child may believe that they will always feel this way. Listening to a self-defeating internal loop, they may begin to see the world through a negative lens. They may even feel as though everything in their life is wrong.

Fortunately, your child is not alone, and childhood depression is treatable. Child counseling can pinpoint and address the cause of your child’s sadness and help them regain a sense of joy and self-esteem.

Childhood Depression Treatment Can Lead To Greater Happiness For Your Child

No matter how helpless you may feel as your watch your child suffer, it is possible to offer them the support and skills they need to find relief.

My approach utilizes techniques drawn primarily from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which has been proven to elevate children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. CBT works because it equips children with the tools needed to transform both their thoughts and behaviors, leading to a more realistic, positive outlook.

I also implement concepts from Interpersonal Therapy—a type of treatment that addresses the immediate context of your child’s life that may be contributing to their feelings of sadness, particularly their relationships. Because depression symptoms can complicate personal connection, we will work to improve your child’s communication patterns, as well as their response to certain social triggers.

Throughout all of this work, building your child’s esteem will take center stage. And, in the safety of our sessions, your child will have the opportunity to rehearse real-world coping skills. Role-playing is a powerful tool that can turn practice into habit, empowering your child to face their world with confidence.

I have worked as a school social worker for more than 15 years and have encountered many children who illustrate signs of depression. I have also seen how a childhood depression treatment plan can turn a child’s life around. It is possible for your child to once again become social, active and happy.

You May Wonder If Child Therapy Is Right For Your Family…

What If My Child Is Exaggerating Just To Get Out of Activities?

Especially as they grow older, it’s not uncommon for a child to test boundaries to get out of a specific situation.

However, if your child has seemed down for a prolonged period of time, their disinterest could be an indication of something more serious. And, keep in mind that it’s one thing to try to get out of a test—many children do that at one point or another. If your child is avoiding school because they no longer look forward to it and feel no joy in seeing friends, they could be showing signs of depression.

During child counseling, we will explore the causes of these negative feelings and work to dismantle them. Through practice and implementation of proven behavior techniques, your child can feel like themselves again.

I’ve Given My Child Everything. Why Are They Struggling?

There is no doubt that you do your best to provide for your child. You may feel as though your child has had every opportunity handed to them—they have food, clothing, a comfortable home—so you cannot understand why they feel this way. Or perhaps because you endured a difficult childhood, you believe they should “toughen up” and get through these challenges.

It’s important to keep in mind that every child is unique, and each possesses a different set of internal coping skills. Even the most supported children usually have some fears. Many will internalize their fears because they do not feel comfortable discussing them with a parent or guardian, and that’s normal. But, internalized fears often morph into hopelessness and sadness. Therapy allows your child a safe space to discuss what they are going through and find a sense of ease.

Is My Child Depressed, Or Is This Just A Stage?  

All children feel sad sometimes. If a friend says something mean, for example, they may feel and express a sense of hurt. But, most kids will move on within a couple days. A child with depression, on the other hand, may struggle with the pain for weeks.

Because prolonged depression can lead to more severe emotional issues as your child matures, identifying childhood depression early on is critical. As a trained counselor, I will help you work out the differences between normal up-and-down behavior and the signs of depression.

Your Child Can Feel Happy Again

If you suspect that your child is experiencing depression, I encourage you to call me for a 20-minute consultation. I welcome any questions or concerns about my approach to childhood depression treatment.