Depression in children

1. DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN
By Anne Marete.
My friend Irene (not her real name) went home about three months ago, to find her seven
year old daughter hurdled in a settee, looking miserable. She did not make much of it, since
she thought it was a normal childhood “blues”.
The melancholic state however did not abet; if anything ,it was getting worse with each
passing day .I then advised her to have her daughter checked. The paediatrician they
consulted directed them to a counselling psychologist.
In their discussion, Irene recalled that of late her daughter was overly sensitive, tearful and
experienced disturbed sleep patterns. She had also lost interest in school and come
morning, she would always complain of a headache, stomach ache or some other ache, yet
immediately the school bus left ,she would be well again. The stark reality then dawned on
her –her daughter was depressed-yes, depressed.
Do children really get depressed? What would make a child depressed? Children too get
depressed. Childhood is not just a care free and trouble free time. There are factors,
ranging from hereditary, biological, physiological and environmental ones that predispose
children to depression. Children for instance constantly deal with the need for peer
acceptance; the good grades they have to make at school, parental expectation of them,
and loss through divorce, separation abandonment or death of one or both parents, other
children have to contend with physical and emotional abuse, including sexual abuse, at
times from those who should otherwise love and protect them. The disturbing thing is that
children are hard to diagnose, hence treat for depression because they go through many
physical and emotional changes, as they progress through natural growth and development.
Also, each child has their own rate of maturity , hence what is considered normal in
children falls within a wide range of behavioural abilities .There is also the issue of
ignorance . Many people do not imagine that a child can be faced with mental disorder. At
times even those who have reason to suspect mental illness such as depression in their
children, may not want to come to the open for fear of stigmatization by the self righteous

2. society, who might think of them as poor parents. As a result of these factors, it is difficult
for these children to access the benefits of the much needed health care.
In diagnosing mental disorder , depression included, one must consider how well a child
functions at home, within the family ; at school with peers; as well as a child’s age and
symptoms. Signs that a pre-scholar could be faced with depression could include not playing
,fear, ignoring people, treating strangers the same way as family and not seeming to getting
attached to caregivers and parents , especially in cases where parents are away for long
periods of time).
Older children and teenagers may display a loss of interest in friends, register a drop in
performance, display outburst of rage, lengthy negative thoughts, defying authority, and
excessive complaint of physical ailments, sleeplessness and a general feeling of
hopelessness which could eventually lead to suicidal thoughts.
Depression in children should not be taken lightly .If treatment is commenced in time then
the patient will recover and lead a normal life. If not, it can be disruptive .The patient is
unable to cope with the daily life problems and activities and for the teenager it may lead to
abuse of drugs, alcohol included, to try and cope.
There are a number of ways to treat depression .Treating with anti depressants is one such
way
Psychotherapy (counselling) is another .It addresses the emotional bit of depression .It
employs the ‘talk through’ strategies thereby understanding and dealing with the symptoms
(like Irene’s child’s case).
It was discovered that her daughter’s depression was being caused by multiple factors.
First, Irene a nurse, would be away most of the time when on day duty, She would get home
late considering the never ending Nairobi jam. Then would come the night duty period
.When she would not see her mother in the evening and would be in school when my
friend came home from work.
The other problem was that she would get many different care-givers, some of whom would
be very cruel to her (like the one they had at the time).
At school, whenever she failed to do well, so she told the counsellor, the teacher would
make jokes of her and the other children would laugh --she hated it.
The little girl thus, found herself between a hard rock and a sledge hammer.
The third way to treat depression even in children is the use of Creative Therapy .A good
example is Art Therapy which may be helpful especially with children who may have trouble
communicating their thoughts and feelings .
Other than treatment by medical practitioners parents can also do something to help.

3. 1. Encourage your child to talk about what affects their lives.
2. Many of us want to involve our children in our adult problems, our fights, quarrels and
financial woes .it is advisable that we leave our children out of this, as their time will come.
3. Let us desist from comparing our children with those we feel are doing well. Even
fingers of the same hand are not of the same size. When I go to my children’s
schools for open days(consultation days),You will hear parents lament to the
teachers how they do not understand this particular child as all their other children
are bright and have gone up to the university .
4. Take every opportunity to compliment your child.
5. Encourage your children’s friendship s and let them know they are loved and are
lovable .It enhances their self worth.
6. For adolescents, you need to communicate a lot, replacing shame and punishment
as a way of discipline with positive reinforcement for good behaviour.
7. At times, allow your teenager to make mistakes .Over protecting and making
decisions for teens can be perceived as a lack of faith in their abilities and can make
them feel less confident .Give your teenager breathing room without expecting them
to do exactly as you say all the time .Don’t force your children down a path you
wanted to follow .Avoid trying to relieve your youth through your child’s activities
and experiences .It most likely will not work.
Diet and regular exercise are also paramount. Fruits and vegetables, whole grain and
cereals are very important to the child’s mental well being .They are physical and emotional
health boosters.
OMEGA 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as tuna , salmon and mackerel is very good for
the brain
Then we have Vitamin B12 found in nuts, soya beans and dark green leafy vegetables which
are good mood boosters. It goes without saying that your child should take less caffeine,
soda and tea as they cause anxiety.

4. The government too has a part to play by aiming at protecting, promoting and improving
the rights of the mental patients-children included, through mental health legislation and
promoting access to mental health care and community integration.
In conclusion ,my advice to parents is to stop being in denial and seek help for your child’s
mental disorder which may not necessarily be depression ,but could be any of the other
types such as anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder(hyperactivity) disruptive
behaviour disorder or even schizophrenia.
Let mental disorder not be a topic to be discussed behind closed doors .Let us be pro active
and our children and teens will survive them.
Let us stop exclusion and dare to care.