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5 Common Misconceptions About Childhood Depression

What To Do When Your Child Is Depressed

We all think that children are free of worries, no bills to pay, and no controlling mother-in-law to deal with. They do not experience any of the stress that we adults experience. The truth is, being a child is far from living a stress-free life. Here are some of the myths you need to know about childhood depression.

1Depression Is A Sign Of Weakness

This is a common misconception among people. Depression is not something that indicates a person's character. It does not define how weak or strong a person is. It is a psychiatric illness that needs a medical intervention just like diabetes or cancer. Even the most successful people can suffer from depression at one point or another.

2Pediatric Depression Goes Away On Its Own

Some parents do not take clinical depression seriously and believe that their child will eventually grow out of it. Again, depression is an illness that needs medical attention. If left untreated, the child may develop learning problems. Also, there is a huge chance that the disorder will become more chronic. The earlier your child undergoes treatment, the better off they will be.

3Caused By Abuse, Trauma, Or Loss

It's hard to believe, but the majority of kids with depression symptoms haven't suffered abuse, loss, or trauma. Even though these reasons may sometimes trigger depression, they aren't always the cause. Loneliness resulting from the loss of a loved one does not always develop into a major depression. There are times when depression occurs despite the improvement of the situation.

4Positive Thinking Can Cure Depression

Although we all wish it were that easy, the truth is, it takes more than positive thinking to improve the symptoms of depression. A kid who can snap out of their blues cannot be considered clinically depressed. A normal child wouldn't mind if someone is looking their way, but a depressed child would automatically create negative notions – "He's looking at me because I look weird."

5Antidepressants May Alter Personalities

A lot of people have this notion that antidepressants are dangerous, and they have serious side effects. If medications are used properly, they can significantly improve a person's depression symptoms. Don't worry because the benefits of these drugs are well-documented. Just make sure that you monitor your child's progress closely, and talk to a professional if you see any side effects.

As unfortunate as it sounds, even children can suffer from clinical depression. If your child is battling depression, it's important to arm yourself with the right information and not believe everything you hear. Being knowledgeable about your child's mental disorder will lead you a step closer to finding the best treatment.



About Author

Jackie Wing

Jackie Wing is an Alaska native, who enjoys snowboarding more than is probably socially acceptable. She lives in Anchorage with her two dogs Reese and Peanut, or as she likes to call them "Thing 1" and "Thing 2."