4 Steps to Take If Your Child is Going Through Anxiety and Depression
Childhood anxiety and depression are becoming increasingly prevalent in today's society. According to the CDC, around 9.4% of kids around the age of 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, and 4.4% have been diagnosed with depression from 2016 to 2019.
That's to show that mental health issues can affect children of all ages, and parents must be one step ahead in detecting the signs early on so they can take the necessary preventive measures to help their child.
When experiencing depression and anxiety, your child has no one to depend on but you; you're their guardian, role model, and, in some situations, their confidante. So, it's only fitting that you know exactly how and when to help them.
If you're observing strange behaviors in your kid affecting their studies, friendships, and even their daily activities, here are the steps to help them.
Know the Signs—1st Step.
The very first thing to do as a parent (in helping your child) is to understand and recognize the red flags associated with childhood anxiety and depression. The anxiety your child is currently going through (or suffering from) can show itself in various forms, and if you’re not being observant and careful, you could overlook them.
According to the CDC, these signs may include persistent worry, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches. If your child is experiencing depression, then you will observe them exhibiting symptoms such as persistent sadness, changes in their appetite or sleep patterns, low self-esteem, no will to engage in social activities, and even thoughts of inflicting harm on themselves.
While some of these signs are normal childhood or adolescent behavior, it’s essential to know when to differentiate between typical emotional flip moments (which, in most cases, are prompted by an incident, like a fight at school, the loss of a loved one, an ongoing divorce process, or being bullied,) and concerning patterns that persist over time with no visible or reasonable causative factor.
If your child is acting strange and there’s no understandable reason why they’re behaving that way, you should be worried and ready to sit them down and chat about it as soon as possible.
Chat about the Issue – 2nd Step.
Creating an environment of open communication, especially when your child is in the early stages of their anxiety and depression, will help them confide in you. What you want from your child at this point is for them to open up to you.
And to get this level of cooperation from them, you must ensure they feel heard and understood. To achieve this, take your kid to a quiet, comfortable space for a quick chat without distractions.
Sit them down and let them know you've recently noticed changes in their mood. Express your concern without sounding judgmental. Ask them to tell you what's going on and, in fact, share a story about yourself (as a teen) being in their shoes and having the same problems they may be having now.
This will help your child open up and feel better because they now know their problems are not isolated from them and that you've gone through them yourself.
And to add to that, while they’re telling you what they’re going through, avoid using dismissive or minimizing language (like "You shouldn't have done that," "Damn!" or "It's not a big deal"), as this can discourage them from opening up further. Instead, validate their feelings and tell your child you're there to listen without judgment.
Get Professional Help—3rd Step.
While having a quick chat with your child can help them temporarily ease their worries, you may need a professional evaluation (especially if the signs are still showing and they're becoming severe).
A mental health professional will help assess and diagnose your child's condition and develop a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of their condition, they may propose a few lifestyle changes, medication, therapy, or an adolescent intensive outpatient program.
Lifestyle changes
Sometimes, what may be wrong with your child may be as simple as a lack of sleep or proper nutrition. After evaluation, a mental health professional may encourage you to make lifestyle changes for your child, like regular exercise, adequate nutrition, and a scheduled sleeping and waking circle (even on the weekends).
Medication
In some cases, medication may be the best way to manage the symptoms (especially when they're severe). Your child's psychiatrist will prescribe the needed drugs based on the severity of their condition.
Therapy
The mental health professional may recommend cognitive therapy or other forms of psychotherapy that can help your child develop coping strategies, change their thought patterns, and address underlying factors contributing to their condition.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
If the symptoms of your child's anxiety and depression are severe and affecting their grades in school, relationships at home, and in the neighborhood, a psychiatrist may also recommend an adolescent intensive outpatient program (IOP), which can provide them with the structured care they need.
Provide Support and Make Adjustments—4th Step.
As your child undergoes treatment, your support at home is crucial for their proper recovery. You can create a nurturing environment that significantly contributes to their healing process.
This means;
Allowing them to express their thoughts without criticizing them.
Resisting the urge to pressure them to recover, as this can worsen their condition.
Helping them create a predictable routine that can provide a sense of structure and stability
Being patient with their setbacks and challenging days by reacting with empathy.
Doing these will help your child recover faster and better and show them how to be a responsible parent who can handle pressure.
Wrapping Up
Be prepared to adjust these steps based on your child's condition as needed. You're in a better position to know what they need and what strategies may work better for them than others. So, use the details here as much as you can to ensure they get the help they need.
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