Paly ABC - DEPRESSION

Contrary to the wrong-headed opinions that continue to circulate in society, depression is an illness that requires treatment. It is far from being lazy, being a weakling or mythically staying in a "comfort zone."

Depression is not the usual sadness that all of us feel at times. In the case of the disease, a foam bath, watching a funny movie or going to the beautician will not help. Specific therapeutic measures are needed.

So if you notice in yourself or a loved one chronic fatigue, lack of strength, can't concentrate, and see the future in dark colors then it's a good idea to see a psychiatrist or psychotherapist and talk about what's going on. Depression can happen to any of us. There is nothing shameful about it. The sooner you get into the care of a specialist, the better the chance that you will recover faster. In addition to psychiatric or psychological intervention, it's also a good idea to check your overall health to rule out diseases in the body. Some of these (such as hypothyroidism) may be contributing to your lowered mood.

Although everyone interprets the events that happen to them differently, there are several factors that can increase the risk of depression. And these are: lack of support, lack of understanding, heavy responsibility in personal and professional life, fatigue and lack of rest, feelings of guilt, feelings of helplessness....

At this point, many parents will probably identify with all of the above factors. "It's about me, after all! Sounds like my parenting!". It is the primary caregivers (still most often mothers), working at home, taking care of children 24 hours a day, who are most likely to experience depression. If the child's illness is added to the daily parental duties and chronic sleeplessness, it is difficult to maintain a good mood.

It's worth remembering that if you think you could use a doctor's help, remember that even when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can take medication. Of course, the psychiatrist must choose the right medication for your situation, but pregnancy and lactation should not be an obstacle to drug treatment.

It sometimes happens to people that they downplay their symptoms by which they delay consultation with a specialist. Thoughts run through their heads that, after all, other people have bigger problems and they will eventually manage on their own (as usual), they just have difficulty with daily functioning (so what if it's been six months), they can't make decisions (each one seems too big a challenge), sleep and concentration (maybe it's old age?). If you feel bad, don't hesitate to get help. At most, you'll hear that everything is fine and it's good that you came_to check.

Depression in children

And can children suffer from depression? "After all, what problems do they have? When they grow up, they will only see. What would they have this depression from?". Looking through their experiences, adults may downplay the difficulties children experience. Nevertheless, mood disorders in childhood are common.

Optimistic estimates say that between 2% and 8% of children and adolescents suffer from depression. However, these are people who have received support and can be included in the statistics. We can only guess how many, then, are young people who struggle with the disease alone and without adequate help.

The symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are similar to those in adults. In addition to tearfulness, loss of ability to enjoy things that previously brought joy, changes in appetite (too little or too much), anxiety, fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating attention and withdrawal from social contacts, young people may additionally exhibit aggressive behavior. In turn, in children of early school age, mood disorders can manifest themselves somatically: abdominal pain and headaches, which have no medical basis.

The current epidemic situation undoubtedly does not make it easier for children to function. What has been happening over the past several months in the children's closer and farther environment is a major stressor for them. Through the state of the epidemic, children and young people have significantly reduced opportunities for contact with friends and acquaintances, there are no extracurricular activities that provided a break from the stress of school and gave the opportunity to meet people with similar interests. Contrary to appearances, today's children and young people are not satisfied with a smartphone and computer. They still value most contact with another human being and the opportunity to meet in person. When this is missing, it significantly affects their well-being.

In addition to social isolation, factors that can increase the risk of depression in children may include a child's academic overload, prolonged pressure for school performance, sports and other achievements, lack of parental approval, peer problems (including bullying, loss of a friend, unhappy love), family conflicts, parental financial problems, severe illness or death of a loved one.

When you are worried about your child and are concerned about recent changes in his behavior and well-being, it is a good idea to consult a specialist. In the case of children, initially turn to a psychologist or psychotherapist. However, it is important to remember that the change and improvement in well-being will not happen immediately. One meeting is not enough for the therapy to have a chance to work. Sometimes you need to wait for as many as 5-6 sessions. If, after this time, the child feels as bad as before, consult a child and adolescent psychiatrist (but remember that in a health or life-threatening situation, a medical visit is necessary as soon as possible). In the case of children and adolescents, it is also advisable for the whole family to get support from a psychotherapist. An outsider will be able to catch some mechanisms that are difficult to see being in the center of family events. The child is a barometer of what is happening in his immediate environment, so it is worth taking a closer look at the situation to be able to support your child more effectively.

Free help can be sought at psychological-educational counseling centers, mental health clinics (no referral needed), crisis intervention centers.

You can also use the helpline:

for children and young people 116 111

for adults 116 123