How Anxiety in Kids & Depression Are Related
Most parents worry about their children being bullied, teased, or picked on. But do you realise how many kids get depressed because they feel anxious?
In this article, we'll explore why anxiety in kids and depression go hand-in-hand.
We'll talk about how anxiety affects kids and teens, as well as how it affects adults. We will also examine how anxiety and depression are related at different ages.
Finally, we'll discuss strategies for supporting children experiencing emotional distress.
The Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety in Kids
There is a well-documented like between anxiety and depression. This is partly because anxiety can lead to depression and vice versa.
In other words, if you're feeling down, chances are your mood will be affected by your feelings of anxiety. Likewise, if you're feeling anxious, your mood may be affected by your feelings of depression.
This link is particularly robust when looking at young people (children and teenagers).
For example, studies have shown that nearly half of all teenagers who suffer from major depression also experience some form of anxiety disorder.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness caused by anything from an upcoming test to a bad dream. It's normal for kids to experience some level of anxiety before big events like school exams or sports competitions.
However, when anxiety becomes excessive or lasts too long, it may indicate a problem.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder characterised by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, and/or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Physiological changes like weariness, disturbed sleep, altered appetite, and impaired focus are frequently present alongside these symptoms.
When a child is experiencing anxiety, what do they show?
Here's what anxiety looks like in kids:
They're easily startled.
They avoid certain situations.
They become overly focused on something.
They have trouble sleeping.
They have frequent headaches.
They have stomachaches.
They have low energy levels.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression in kids?
Kids who suffer from depression usually show one or more of these symptoms:
They lose interest in things they used to enjoy.
They have thoughts of suicide.
They have insomnia.
They eat poorly.
They have poor concentration.
Anxiety or Depression: How to tell the difference when your child is experiencing it
It's important to note that not all kids who are anxious will develop depression later in life. Likewise, not all kids who are depressed will eventually develop anxiety.
Most kids who struggle with anxiety will never develop depression.
There are, nevertheless, indicators that can point to a future onset of depression.
For example, if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), he or she might start showing signs of depression at around age 10.
If your child has been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, he or she might begin experiencing depressive episodes at around age 12.
If you notice any of these warning signs in your child, it's important to seek professional help right away.
Why Does Depression and Anxiety Affect Kids?
There are many reasons why depression and anxiety affect kids. For instance, kids suffering from either condition may feel sad because their parents are divorcing or because they've lost a loved one.
Or, they may feel stressed out because they're worried about getting into college or starting a new job.
In addition, kids who are struggling with anxiety or depression may feel guilty about being unhappy. This guilt can lead them to try to change their situation even though this isn't possible.
What Causes Anxiety and Depression in Kids?
While scientists aren't exactly sure what causes anxiety and depression in children, they believe both conditions are linked to genetics.
In other words, children exposed to anxiety or depression at home are more likely to develop these disorders themselves.
Anxiety and despair can also be caused by other circumstances, such as:
An emotionally draining domestic situation.
Traumatic events like abuse or neglect.
Poor nutrition.
Lack of exercise.
Exposure to toxins.
Stressful peer interactions.
Bullying.
Sleep deprivation.
How Does Anxiety-Related Depression Impact Kids' Lives?
Anxiety-related depression can significantly impact your kid's quality of life. It can affect everything from appetite to sleeping habits, school performance, and social interactions.
How anxiety impacts kids can differ from child to child and over time.
Day-to-day impacts of anxiety-related depression in kids
Depression can affect your kids day to day life in many ways. Your child may feel sap and hopeless for prolonged periods. He or she may be unable to concentrate at school or home.
Your child may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Your kid may start skipping classes or even stop going altogether.
A person with depression may withdraw from social activities and withdraw from loved ones.
The day-to-day impacts of anxiety are equally troubling. For example, your kid may not want to leave his or her room and may refuse to eat. He or she might also sleep all day long and stay up late at night.
Your child may also appear anxious and agitated when interacting with others. This can lead to stunted social development.
Long-term impacts of anxiety-related depression in kids
Although anxiety-related depression is treatable, it can cause lasting damage to your child's mental health.
In addition, research shows that kids who suffer from anxiety-related depression are more likely than those without the condition to exhibit behavioural problems later in life.
Anxiety-related depressed youth are twice as likely to partake in risky behaviours like cigarette and alcohol use. Drug usage and incarceration are also more common among this population.
Anxious children, for instance, are more prone to partake in potentially harmful activities, including substance abuse, sexual activity, and violent acts.
They also tend to engage in risky romantic pairings more frequently.
However, the long-term impacts of anxiety and depression can be managed and mitigated through treatments. As a result, it's essential that you find appropriate help for your kids to help them develop healthily.
The Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression in Kids Changes Over Time
The correlation between childhood anxiety and depression shifts throughout time.
For instance, some kids will only experience mild forms of anxiety, while others will experience severe forms.
In addition, some kids will experience anxiety first before experiencing depression. Others will experience depression first. Still, others will experience both conditions simultaneously.
Regardless of which comes first, the two conditions tend to coexist throughout childhood. However, as kids grow older, their experiences with anxiety and depression change.
This is because children start to understand how their emotions work. For example, they begin to recognise that feelings like sadness and anger aren't permanent states. Instead, they're temporary responses to certain situations.
As a result, kids learn to control these negative emotions by using coping strategies.
These include talking about what makes them sad or angry, expressing themselves verbally, taking deep breaths, exercising, and spending time with loved ones.
Kids who have learned how to cope with their emotions successfully tend to feel less stressed and depressed.
How kids handle anxiety and depression
The good news is that kids who learn to manage their emotions effectively don't always need professional treatment to do so.
Many young people can develop the resilience to overcome their emotional challenges without outside help.
If your child is having difficulties sleeping, one solution is to have him, or her go to bed early.
If your kid is quick to anger, some deep breathing techniques might help. On the other hand, if your kid feels anxious, tell them to confide in a trusted adult.
If you feel like your child needs extra assistance, you can look into several different possibilities.
You could consult with a therapist or counsellor to give just one example. You and your doctor should also consider exploring therapeutic alternatives.
You should also keep in mind that kids who struggle with anxiety and depression often benefit from medication. This includes anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.
You should also know that most kids who suffer from anxiety and/or depression respond well to therapy.
Therapy helps kids identify the thoughts and beliefs contributing to their emotional struggles. It gives them the resources they need to deal with their emotions constructively.
Can kids grow out of anxiety and depression?
While it's true that kids can grow out of anxiety and/or depression, this doesn't happen overnight. Instead, it takes time and patience.
To ensure your child grows out of anxiety and depression, you'll need to provide him or her with the right tools to succeed.
That means helping your child develop healthy relationships with friends, family members, teachers, coaches, and other adults. It also means teaching your child how to express himself or herself through words and actions.
In addition, you'll need to teach your child how to use positive thinking to cope with life's challenges. Finally, you'll need to encourage your child to participate in activities promoting physical health.
It's important to remember that kids who grow up feeling safe and secure tend to be more resilient when faced with stressors. That means they're able to bounce back from difficult experiences.
This resilience helps them avoid developing anxiety and depression. They will be healthier as adults, but that's not all.
Strategies for Parents of Children Struggling with Anxiety and/or Depression
If you want to be a good parent, one of the best things you can do for your kids is to love them no matter what. You can also learn how to support your children with anxiety and depression.
They'll feel cared for when you show your kids that you care about them. They'll also learn to trust you.
And because kids who feel safe and secure are more likely to thrive emotionally, you'll have fewer worries about your child's mental health.
The best course of action is to consult a doctor about your condition and treatment options. Some treatments for anxiety-related depression in kids include;
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy's main focus is on altering dysfunctional thought patterns. CBT teaches kids to recognise and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
The goal is to help kids become aware of their feelings and thoughts so they can choose different responses.
Your child will work closely with a therapist during sessions. The therapist will ask questions to help your kid understand his or her thoughts and feelings.
To further aid your child, he or she will provide feedback on how to enhance current coping methods.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapies can be helpful for some children whose depression stems from anxiety. In addition, your child can benefit from psychotherapy if your child and the therapist work together to address underlying issues affecting his or her outlook and actions.
Therapy may involve:
Talking about what's bothering your child
Helping your child deal with stressful situations
Teaching your child ways to manage emotions
Counselling
Counselling is another way to help your child cope with anxiety-related depression. Counselling is often provided by school counsellors or therapists.
Counselling can help your child overcome low self-esteem, poor social skills, and academic struggles.
Medication
Antidepressants are used to treat anxiety-related depression in some kids. A psychiatrist usually prescribes these drugs.
Evidence suggests that they can help people feel less stressed and depressed. However, antidepressants may not be effective for everyone.
Unfortunately, many patients report feeling much worse when taking these drugs.
Talk to a doctor if you think your child could benefit from medication.
Final Thoughts
As a result, it's safe to say that anxiety disorders and depression frequently occur together. When children experience anxiety, they may display depressive behaviours.
A downward spiral of bad feelings can result from this cycle, which may not end for years.
However, there are ways to break free of this cycle. For example, parents can prevent their children from developing severe mental problems by learning to detect early warning signs.
GHEORG is an interactive educational robot. GHEORG helps your children to understand their emotions and feelings through enjoyable interactions.
GHEORG uses characters and stories to help explain conditions and feelings related to anxiety in children aged 7 to 12. Try GHEORG today to help your child to understand themselves.