Do kids get depression?

Question

I just wondered if kids can get depression. I'm only 28 but I've got 5 kids and their dad recently left with another woman and left me to look after the kids by myself. They seem to be doing OK except for my 9 year old daughter, she seems really sad all the time and she's always crying at night in her bed, but she won't tell me what's wrong. She won't go out to play anymore, she just stays in her room most of the time and she's being really horrible to her brothers and sisters - she's usually nice to them but she keeps shouting at them and pushing them around.

I'm worried that she might be depressed or something, but can kids get depression? Or is this just a phase of some sort? It's been going on for about 3 weeks now.

Answer 1

Most definitely kids get depression. To your daughter, her father abandoned her too and she is trying to figure out what she did that he does not want her anymore. what could she have done differently so that he would have stayed. She does not understand that it's an adult problem and has nothing to do with her.

Any kind of sadness that interferes with her daily functioning is depression and left unaddresssed can lead to clinical depression. If it is resolved quickly, she may not suffer long term effects (kinda like a widow who grieves for a few months). But some people will carry the loss of a parent due to divorce or affair into their adulthood.

Answer 2

i can pretty much tell you if you are depressed, then your children are also. they can sense that there is something wrong with you and they can feel the same pressures as you too. you need to watch your 9 year old closely, she can develop suicidal tendencies very quickly. in my family we have been dealing with the same problem for about 25 years( have 7 kids ages 32-14) they all get depressed some time or the other. some handle it better than others.

Answer 3

kids can become clinically depressed. even babies can become depressed. try getting someone to watch your other children, and taking her out for dinner, just the two of you. have a good talk at one of her favorite places to eat, or even see a movie. without her dad, she's getting half the attention she used to if not even less. now you have less time to spend with her, too, because you have all the children and the responsibilities are greater. Try to work something out where her dad gets to take her out sometimes too. This might ease the transition. Make sure she knows that you and him split because it was becomming an unhealthy relationship, and it would hurt everyone much more for you two to stay together, but that doesn't mean she has lost him, and it doesn't mean that mom and dad hate each other either. even though you're hurt, it's time to be strong for the kids and talk to him and try to keep him at least as their dad.

Answer 4

"Depression in children can, if untreated, affect school performance and learning, social interactions and development of normal peer relationships, self-esteem and life skill acquisition, parent-child relations and a child's sense of bonding and trust, can lead to substance abuse, disruptive behaviors, violence and aggression, legal troubles, and even suicide."

Yes, children can suffer from depression. Some children are much more sensitive to their surroundings and environment and therefore experience depression more than other children. Also, physical conditions for her unhappiness should be checked as well as she may even be suffering from hypoglycemia or some other chemical imbalance. But childhood depression can be treated very effectively so good luck and seek treatment quickly.

Sites below offer much more info. Hope that helps!

Answer 5

Yeah, kids can get depressed, I did when I was little. The best thing you can do is get her to talk to someone. If she won't talk to you then try and get her to talk to someone else - even if it is just a teddy or something!
As she is young, it probably will pass, but don't underestimate how deeply kids can take stuff.
You sound really sorted, and I am amazed considering your situation! Good luck with everything.

Answer 6

first of all congratulations for being a mom of 5 kids and...of course kids get depression!but it's such a short period of time since this traumatic for a child incident happened.every child has it's own rhythm to get through rough moments.before u start to worry try to visit a specialist,psychologist or other.
depression in kids has many "names" and symptoms.
major depression,which is diagnosed and described as grief,sadness,anorexia or bulimia,for a period of more than 6 months.
major depression incident,which is for a period of time and then it comes and goes and all these for more than 6 months.
bipolar disorder,which is known as maniodepression,with incidents of both mania and depression colliding for a period of more than 6 months etc.
the first thing u can do is try to observe her mood,habits and find out if she changed a lot.usually at such little ages playing and food habits are the first to change.try to be discrete and don't force her to talk to u.just tell her that u will always be there by her side...
for more informations contact with me.
good luck!

Answer 7

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 8

Yes I beleive kids can suffer from depression, just remember they are a small version of ourselves, so they have all the feelings and fears we have our self. In America 90% of kids are on Prozac, probably a bad example, but if you are really worried speak to some one, a Dr or practice nurse. It won't hurt and it won't mean your a bad mother.

Answer 9

Depression is kids is either from their parents or peer pressure from others at school. How to help depression, seek a doctors advice or counselling. Sometimes talking to complete strangers about your problems helps, because thats what they are there for, To listen. =)

Answer 10

As others have answered, yes, children can become depressed. The departure of her father may have provoked a strong grief response from your daughter. And good for you: you noticed her short temper and irritability. In children, this is one of the most observable signs of mood problems.

Depression in children can be caused by internal thinking or by the external system. Sometimes, sensitive children pick up on the sadness of the adults in their lives and mirror that sadness in their own depression. Make certain that you are getting adequate support for yourself as a way to help your children cope with the family crisis. You may cry in front of them on occasion, but make sure they know that (A) you're going to be OK, (B) they're going to be OK, and (C) you are not depending on them to keep your emotional head above water.

Grief and depression over losses can be time limited, but for a variety of reasons, they may settle in for a long (and harm-producing) time. Depression that lasts longer than 2 weeks is considered "clinically significant," which means it's worth making your daughter's physician aware of it. The doctor can recommend a psychotherapist, particularly one who is skilled at helping children adjust to parenting changes. In the most severe cases, the doctor may recommend taking antidepressant medication for several months.

The reality of 21st century America includes the break-up of marriages and the creation of single-parent households. There are many good therapists out there who routinely help children learn new ways to see such family crises. Best of luck to all of you.