Depression in Children with ADHD
Tags: helping child with adhd, children living with adhd
Children with ADHD are three times more prone to depression and depression related disorders than are other children. There are many reasons ADHD children struggle with Depression.
<A partial list of causes of depression would include, inability to complete tasks, inability to read and write properly, frequent bad results in school, might need to repeat few classes, watching other students and siblings excel in their fields, teachers, neighbors and family members constantly complaining.
Aren’t these reasons enough for a flower to wither?
When a child finds himself unable to behave properly at home or be a good student at school, he starts to blame himself.
It really has nothing to do with him and his intentions. It’s a developmental neurological disorder, and he can’t help it until proper care is given to him.
This care must involve a combination of improved diet, sleep schedule, parenting skills, and may require medication.
Medications, ADHD therapies and parental attention of course can help him deal more effectively with everything life throws at him. but any ADHD child can be pushed towards depression.
The Depression Spiral
The first step toward ADHD depression is that they become anti social. Parents and teachers who are unaware of the fact that a child is suffering from ADHD, might feel relieved if the hyperactive kid locks himself in his room.
They wanted this for so long…. They wanted that battery to wind down so that the tension would be gone. But this is not it!!!! He is getting into a depression and that’s an alarming situation. At times, it could be hard parenting an ADHD child.
A child with ADHD in depression might show some signs that are particularly alarming and helps diagnosing in the depression.
The causes for this depression are basically ADHD’s symptoms. Here are the symtoms and diagnostic checklist:
• Development of Phobias
• Getting disturbed sleep and often having bad dreams
• Disconnection Anxiety
• Disruptive Behavior in home and school
• Aggressiveness
• Extreme irritability
• Insomnia or too much sleep
• Feeling Sad and gloomy all the day
• Tearful
• Cries on small things
• Lack of interest in family activities
• Lethargic and lazy
• Low tolerance for frustration
• Negative comments about themselves
• Self-Destructive
• Destructive toward toys/playthings
• Looking serious or sick
• Lack of spontaneity
• Less apatite
• Weight loss
• Getting quarrelsome
• Stops talking
• Get’s anti social
• Has no friends
• Doesn’t participate in anything/sports
• Do not interfere in other’s conversations as did previously
• Feels neglected and have complaints about people
Parents who are unaware that their child has ADHD might feel relieved when his depressive phase starts. They might take him as normal.
Once a mother told me that now her son is fine, "he has stopped irritating us," but in reality he was going down hill. And I felt sorry for her and the poor child. But it is never late.
Interaction with the child plays the most important role. Don’t neglect your child no matter how busy you are. If you suspect depression, speak to a medical professional about ADHD medication and treatment for your child as soon as possible.
However, if your child just has the blues, there are many natural treatments that can help. Begin taking a multi-vitamin on a daily basis. This alone has helped stablize mood swings for our family.
Work at improving the child's diet. Often times, depression is due to nutritional deficiencies, and can quickly be improved with a high protien diet. Sugar and food additives can also lead to depression.
Natural products for depression and adhd can also be helpful at resolving these issues without having to turn to medication.