Feeling sad and moody are inescapable and part of the human experience. This is true especially for children and teens. However, what should a caretaker do if they have concerns that their child or teen may be experiencing something more than just sadness?
Depression is a serious medical condition and is experienced by children and young people as well. According to the CDC, depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Data and statistics suggest a rise in depression among children and teens.
Depression may include:
- Chronic sadness
- Displaying little interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Isolating or withdrawing from others
- Sudden change in weight
- Sleep changes or difficulties
- Behaving sluggish or irritable at times
- Has a negative self-view of themselves and their world
- Difficulty concentrating and decline in academic or work performances
- Feeling hopeless or suicidal
If any of the above describes what your child or teen is experiencing, counseling may be beneficial. In counseling, your child or teen is afforded a confidential space to speak freely and process their feelings. Children and young people are often looking for someone to understand and just listen, which is what our professional counselors can provide. Through a safe and non-judgmental approach, underlying causes for the depression are discovered and can be addressed. We can also help your child or adolescent develop coping skills and self-soothing strategies to better manage their heavy feelings.
If you believe your child or teen is struggling with symptoms of depression and needs support, our affiliated professional counselors are here to help. They practice child-friendly evidence-based techniques such as play, art, and sandtray in their therapy. They may also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused approaches. Give our office a call today and let’s schedule a time to talk.