Depression In Ocean, Manalapan and Lakewood, NJ
Just like adults, children and teens can also feel sad, hopeless or worried. This is a normal part of being human; however, if your child is constantly sad, hopeless or anxious this can be a cause for concern. It’s important that you don’t just ignore these symptoms, as they could be signs of childhood depression. Here at West Park Pediatric, we work with many families who have children dealing with mental health disorders. Here’s what you should know about childhood depression.
Signs of Depression
While you never want to see your child sad, this emotion is one that everyone will experience; however, if your child has been displaying signs of depression for more than two weeks, it’s time to speak with their pediatrician. These signs include,
- Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not sleeping enough)
- Appetite changes (overeating or loss of appetite)
- Lack of enjoyment in things that once brought them pleasure
- Feeling hopeless, sad or worthless
- Increased irritability and mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
- Self-harm or harm to others
Bringing Your Child in For an Evaluation
If your child is displaying any of the telltale symptoms of depression it’s important to talk with our pediatrician to determine the next steps. While we can easily examine your child and look for these same symptoms we can also provide you with the proper resources and mental health referrals to ensure that your child gets the evaluation and comprehensive treatment they need to manage their depression for the long term.
We can also work with families to determine ways to improve their child’s lifestyle (e.g. dietary changes; supplements; regular exercise) in order to better manage symptoms and improve mental outlook.