Is my child sad or depressed? What’s the difference?

Look for these 5 signs.

1. Has your child stopped playing and making art?

2. Does your child complain of physical pains?

3. Is your child showing signs of aggression or isolation?

4. Has your child or teen stopped sleeping or eating normally?

5. Does your teen harm themselves with punishing thoughts or self-cutting behaviours?

Life for some children can be challenging and while it is normal to feel sad from time to time, depression in children is tougher to decipher. Temporary blues are normal, but depression is an abnormal state that requires attention. How can you tell if your child is at risk for depression?

1. Has your child stopped playing and making art? Creative play, art-making and imaginative play are all natural activities for children. It’s a critical outlet for processing feelings and making sense of their world. Children who lose interest in playing for two weeks or more, in different settings, may be at risk for depression.

2. Does your child complain of physical pains? Frequent stomach pains, headaches or other physical complaints may indicate your child or teen is not just sad.

3. Is your child showing signs of aggression or isolation? Some children act out or show hostile behaviour when they are depressed. They may not be able to concentrate at school. It may be difficult for them to express their sadness or grief in healthy ways, and if it persists over time, it can impact their daily functioning. Some children internalize their feelings and shut down or isolate. They may stop spending time with friends, stop talking, and mainly keep their worries and fears to themselves.

4. Has your child or teen stopped sleeping or eating normally? Changes in weight, sleep disturbance, and interest in food may indicate risk of depression.

5. Does your teen harm themselves with punishing thoughts or self-cutting behaviours? Have they expressed any suicidal fantasies? Feelings of worthlessness, critical thoughts and wishes to end their life are worrisome indicators. Talk to them directly about your concerns. Research shows that talking about suicidal thoughts openly with another person actually reduces the risk of suicide. Ask them to draw or write a story about their feelings. Respond to their work with interest and curiosity. Do not hesitate to ask questions and listen with openness to their words. Pay attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. Seek support from your network of relatives and friends. Consult a doctor.

Kids and youth who witness or experience domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, the death of a loved one, natural disasters, violence or genetic predisposition may be more at risk for depression, though any child can experience it. As the leading cause of disability in the world, we owe it to our kids to help prevent depression and seek treatment early.

Remember that the symptoms of depression in children vary.  What else can you can do to help?

• Stay calm when your child becomes sad, anxious or withdrawn about a situation or event.
• Spend time with your child playing and making art ask them to choose the art activity they want to do. Then follow their lead try to understand the messages they are conveying in their art and behaviour
• Don’t punish mistakes or lack of progress.
• Try to maintain a regular eating and sleeping routine.
• Increase your attention and support during stressful periods.
• Seek professional advice. If you would like a referral to an art therapist in your area, please contact us and let us know where you’re located. We also provide online therapy sessions with registered art therapists for a fee. Ask us for more details.