With the recent headlines of the suicide of Marie Osmond's son and TV teen actor of Growing Pains, Andrew Koenig, we are learning and hearing more about depression in children as well as a keen awareness to suicidal signs in our teens.
Do you suspect your child is suffering with depression? Are you concerned your teen is becoming more withdrawn, secretive, isolated? Childhood and teenage depression is often in hiding.
What is pediatric depression?
It's normal for children and teenagers to have sad or moody days, but when those feelings last for two weeks or longer, it could indicate that something more serious is going on. As adults, it can be hard for us to accept that children can also have depression, but research is going on now to help find new medicines for children with depression in the future.
If your child has been displaying one or more of these signs of depression for at least two weeks, and they are interfering with his/her ability to function, then he/she may be depressed and eligible to take part in this research:
- Frequent sadness, or crying
- Decreased interest in activities
- Persistent boredom; low energy
- Social isolation
- Low self-esteem and guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
- Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
- Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
- Poor concentration
- A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
- Talk of, or efforts to run away from home
Source: Kids With Depression
Are you worried or concerned that your child or teen is struggling with depression? Visit www.kidswithdepression.com and learn more.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Comments
Communication is paramount and at times difficult but the biggest problem in today’s world is everything that you don’t see as a parent. Many parents feel that their children are safe when they are home sitting at their computer. The reality is that once they log on the computer they are entering a world that is not only un-policed but also a secretive environment, a vacuum in which they reside, alone, without the protection or supervision that they need (& desire). There are tools to help you protect your kids while they are in the virtual world and we’ve created the lowest cost tool for parents. The Rat monitors your child’s computer and sends you email reports of what is being said and what sites they are visiting please go to http://www.theratstore.com for more info.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!