Back To School And Depression – What To Look For
After the long summer vacation, it’s time for kids to head back to school. However, with so many new faces and lessons ahead of them, some might feel anxious or even depressed. If this sounds like your child, there are a few things you can do to help get them through their first day without too much stress. Here are seven tips on what you might notice if your child is struggling with depression, hopefully giving you the power to act early before they start suffering at school. Also included are tips on how to find the right therapist for your child and finding a therapist that takes insurance, should that be the route you take moving forward.
Feelings of Sadness or Irritableness
Is your child moodier, crankier, or sadder than usual? They may be experiencing depression. Depression is often described as a blanket of darkness that descends upon children without warning. While the reasons aren’t always clear, it’s important to remember that there are ways to fight against these feelings and get back to feeling happy.
Many young people who suffer from depression find school particularly challenging. If you notice sadness or constant irritability related to school, it may be time for you to look into what might be causing this change in disposition. While it could simply be due to stress over tests, projects, and social pressures, it can also indicate that something else serious is at play.
Grades Dropping
It’s essential to be on the lookout for a change in grades. While children do need some slack as they begin school, if grades start dropping significantly, this could be a sign that something more serious is going on. Stay in constant contact with your child’s teachers and school counselors for additional insight into their struggles. This could help you pinpoint the area where they are most struggling and take proactive steps towards helping your child.
Spending More Time Alone
Maybe your child is shunning their friends or has changed their social life drastically. Also, perhaps you’ve noticed that they are no longer interested in things like they were before, such as sports or clubs. While children can often go through phases of friendship, this type of change might indicate deeper problems that need attention.
If this is the case, make sure you pay close attention to their social patterns during school breaks and on weekends. A sudden increase in isolation could signify that something more serious – such as depression – is going on.
Hard Time Making Friends
While your child can go through phases where they’re not interested in making new friends, this could be a sign that something else is wrong. If your child suddenly doesn’t seem capable of initiating conversation or making small talk while at school, look into why they feel this way.
Sometimes, young people who are depressed will also suddenly become much quieter and reserved. This means they may suddenly have trouble socializing with kids their age if their classmates don’t make an effort to get to know them.
Sleep Patterns Changing
Depression can cause an array of changes in sleep patterns which you’ll want to stay on the lookout for. For example, your child might suddenly start sleeping at odd times during the day or night, making it hard for them to get ready for school. Make sure that you talk to your child about any changes in their sleep and keep a close eye on their sleeping habits.
Sudden Changed Appearance
Don’t forget to pay attention to how your child is dressing and looking lately. If there’s been a change in hygiene or they are acting lethargic during the day, these could be signs that something more serious is happening with them. In other cases, kids who are depressed will start wearing dark clothes or hanging their heads low everywhere they go as if they’re trying to disappear into their sweatshirt.
Mood Swings
Watching mood swings will help you identify other problems at play rather than normal childhood moodiness. If your child has always been able to manage their emotions, look for sudden or drastic changes in behavior that may indicate something more serious going on with them. Pay close attention to how they handle stress and whether or not they’re willing to talk about what’s bothering them after an episode passes.
Help Is Always Available
It’s essential for kids who suffer from depression to get the extra support they need at home. This is why you must develop a good understanding of what might be triggering their feelings and pay close attention to any signs that they’re struggling. Having a solid support system in place will help put them on the right track towards recovery, and you’ll be able to take proactive steps towards overcoming their depression.
If your child’s behavior has changed suddenly or they’ve been showing signs of stress that persist day after day, it could be time to consider seeking professional counseling. Your child can overcome this obstacle and start living a healthy and happy life again with proper treatment.
How to Find the Right Therapist
When looking for someone to help your child overcome depression, you must find a professional specializing in dealing with young people. This way, they can focus on the problems at hand and get your child back on track towards a healthy lifestyle.
When you want to know how to find the right therapist, you must find someone who is a good fit for your family. You might want to ask around and see if anyone in your social circle has any personal recommendations, or you can visit websites where parents discuss different therapists they’ve hired in the past.
Another way to figure out how to find the right therapist is by asking them a few questions when making an appointment. They should be able to tell you exactly why they’re qualified and what their treatment plan entails (as well as if they are a therapist that takes insurance) so feel free to inquire about this information before going through with anything else.
It’s not always easy figuring out how to find the right therapist for your family, but it gets easier with time. Once you find someone who works for your family, keep in touch with them through phone calls or emails to make sure that your child progresses day after day.
