Introduction

If your child is morose all the time, does not talk much or even tries to commit suicide, it should ring your alarm bells. It shows that your child is prone to depression. Depression of children is different from depression of adults. When a child is depressed he or she tends to behave the opposite of how he/she really is. A calm child will appear to become irritated. A child who is happy all the time will suddenly become less active, less talkative and gloomy. Teenage children may start smoking or drinking alcohol. Most cases of depression require the help of a psychologist. There are psychologists dealing with child psychology.

When things go out of control

Many parents tend to ignore the sudden behavior changes of children. The last thing that comes to their mind is that their child may have become a victim of depression. For this reason many parents become reluctant to take their children to child psychologists. The first thing to do when you realize that your child has become a victim of depression is to be very patient. Do not shout on your child to change his or her behavior and do not become judgmental. If your child is not doing well in studies this too may be problem related to depression. In that case do not pressurize your child to study or to change his or her behavior. Unfortunately most parents do the opposite of this. They tend to shout on their children, scold them and even beat them. This tends to make the behavior of the child even worse. Parents need to take their children to a child psychologist immediately once they realize that their child has fallen a victim of depression. A child with depression is given medicines and is counseled by the psychologist. Normally children are given medicines only after detailed examination  by the psychologist. It is not easy for parents to see their children in such acute state of depression. But it is imperative that parents remain calm and patient in such circumstances. It is easy to recognize a physical disease in children but it is not easy to recognize depression in them.

The solution

After treatment by the psychologist it is important that parents devote time to their children and be patient with them. Parents should remain loving and supportive. Practice empathy or seeing things the way your child is seeing. Put yourself in his or her shoes. With some practice it can be done.  With the required support by parents along with treatment by the child psychologist, your child will be able to get out of depression. It is possible that the depression comes again at a later point in your child's life. If this important do not panic- Medical treatment is always available again. The solution of depression is in supportive attitude of the parents, counseling by the child psychologist and prescribed medicines. If all goes well your child will be cured in 4 weeks time. Depression is just like fever. It comes and goes. Not all cases of change in behavior of your child is related to depression. Your child psychologist is the best person to recognize whether the change in behavior is related to depression. Usually changes in behavior due to depression happen suddenly and remain for a long time. Be optimistic and cheerful during your child's depression. It will help him/her in overcoming it. Good luck.