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Depression in Children

Depression in Children Whose Parents are Depressed

BYU Idaho

Advanced Writing and Research

July 2, 2022

Introduction
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Depression in Children
Children's mental health has become a significant issue because it impacts how a child

develops and how physically healthy they are. Children are now more likely to experience

depression and anxiety (Ghandour, 2020; et al.). Mental health issues cost American families

close to 9 billion dollars each year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021) These

issues affect 15–21% of youngsters in the world today.

There are various causes for the rise in depression and anxiety, but the main one is that

parents' mental health is deteriorating. Depression makes it difficult for parents to care for their

children and support their households. (Greenberg, Fournier, Sisitsky, Pike, & Kessler, 2017).

People have claimed that kids with anxiety or depression also have additional behavioral issues.

More than anything else, depression prevents people from working.

Various factors can cause children's anxiety and depression, but their genes and parents'

experiences with depression are the most significant factors. Sometimes parents are unaware of

the adverse effects depression has on their kids' mental health. Youngsters may experience

anxiety and despair if they cannot communicate with their parents due to depression.

The goal of this essay is to talk about parental mental health and how it affects kids. The

subjects covered include things that might be of assistance to people who are depressed as well

as suggestions for how to lead a happier and more fulfilled life. The primary conclusions are that

people who are depressed can discover happiness if they receive the right care and attention

(Ghandour, 2020; et al.).

Lines of Argument
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Depression in Children
Many people assert and feel that their anxiety and despair don't affect the people around

them. People who suffer from clinical depression should receive the appropriate care because it

can be a severe illness. Forms of treatment typically entail counseling and sometimes

medication. Clinically depressed individuals are unable to feel better instantly.

According to research, a child's, adolescent's, or adult's growth and development are

directly impacted by their parent's level of health and happiness. Your health may suffer, you

may have trouble falling asleep or staying awake, and you may make you feel less energized.

Additionally, depression can cause weight increase or loss.

First Steps in Emotional Development

Women who have recently given birth experience the "baby blues" in 75% - 85% of cases

(American Pregnancy Association, 2020). This is typically brought on by hormonal changes,

changes in everyday activity, inadequate sleep, and the general physical strain of childbirth.

Some symptoms are crying, being agitated, anxious, exhausted, melancholy, experiencing mood

changes, and finding it challenging to concentrate. A woman may experience sadness for up to

two weeks after giving birth. Talking to a doctor and following their advice may involve taking

antidepressants and counseling until the mother’s hormones return to normal. The most effective

strategies for baby blues are talking to someone, eating healthy, and engaging in low-impact

physical activity.

People experience rapid emotional transformation during the first five years of life. A

person develops a basic set of emotions in the first year of life. Among them include sadness,

fear, surprise, joy, and anger. In the first year of life, a baby uses these emotions to communicate

its feelings. (Gormally, et al., 2002).

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Depression in Children
In our second year, we begin to experience feelings of becoming embarrassed, feeling

guilty, and also feeling proud. The child learns how to behave around others from these feelings.

A youngster starts to learn how to handle these emotions and create and keep friends between the

ages of two and five. They also become aware of proper classroom behavior.

It is crucial for the adults a child interacts with to be understanding of and receptive to

their emotional development during this rapid emotional growth. If a parent ignores a child's

unhappiness, the child may escalate verbal or physical aggression or reckless behavior(Rogers,

Theule, Ryan, Adams, & Keating, 2009). What relationship does this have to parental

depression? A parent who is depressed is less attentive to their child and those around them. For

instance, a mother experiencing depression is less likely than an emotionally healthy mother to

laugh and interact with her child (Amatenstein, 2020). The "baby blues" or postpartum

depression must be treated as soon as feasible.

Teen Years

Teenagers frequently experience feelings of melancholy, rage, or unusual sleepiness.

Girls and boys are equally prone to experience sadness before puberty. Girls are two times as

likely as boys to experience sadness after the onset of puberty (Food and Drug Administration,

2014). However, if you have had these symptoms for longer than two weeks, depression may set

in.

Many teenagers who are depressed feel a sense of guilt about their depression. One in

four young adolescents will experience depression before the age of twenty-four, and 14% of

adolescents ages twelve to eighteen have experienced at least one episode of depression poor

(Bailey, Mokonogho, & Kumar, 2017). Teenagers think they have done something wrong if they
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Depression in Children
feel depressed or anxious. Teenagers who experience depression or anxiety for an extended time

and whose symptoms are not treated run the risk of developing suicidal ideation, abusing

alcohol, or harming themselves. It is crucial that parents be involved and conscious of their

children's emotional needs throughout this time.

Reminding adolescents that they can talk to them at any time is among the best things a

parent can do for their child. Although they should never use the word "depressed," parents

should always be willing to talk to their children. "It's alright to feel a little

stressed/grumpy/tired/sad sometimes, but if you feel like that a lot, then we should talk about it,"

is acceptable. Alternatively, you may ask, "Do you want to talk about what you're experiencing

right now?" and always address their worries (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Always make an effort to be

kind when discussing their worries or difficulties.

To support their teenagers, parents must look after their mental health. Parents need to

help improve their teen's self-esteem and intervene before doing something risky. It would be

more difficult for a parent to determine whether their child is depressed if they are depressed

(Mayo Clinic, 2018).

The Importance of Taking Mental Health Seriously

Parents are crucial to a child's development. For advice on what to do, a youngster looks

to their parents. A child's opinions, as well as likes and dislikes, are greatly influenced by the

things their parent's like. Children typically share their parents' interest in particular hobbies and

activities. The mental health of parents is essential for these reasons. Everything is affected by

mental illness, including how people think and interact (Cole, Luby, & Sullivan, 2008).
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Depression in Children
People frequently experience shame for having depression. They criticize themselves for

not being "normal" or typical (Cole, Luby, & Sullivan, 2008). People are inclined to withdraw

from others when they are feeling hints of depression. They think about suicide more often while

they are isolated. In the United States, suicide is the ninth most common cause of death overall

and the third-highest cause of death for those between the ages of 11 to 33. (Rogers, Theule,

Ryan, Adams, & Keating, 2009). Every year, suicide claims the lives of around 46,500

Americans (Ghandour, 2020; et al.). These figures serve as a helpful reminder that depression

must be treated.

Parents need assistance if they are depressed, anxious, stressed, etc. We must let go of the

notion that depression is bad and that seeking treatment is a weakness. Instead, we want to think

highly of someone open to receiving assistance and making long-term improvements for

themselves and their children. Friends, physical activity, counseling, and medication are all

beneficial.

Opposing View

Some claim that the pressures youngsters encounter nowadays are to blame for growing

sadness and anxiety among children. Others assert that the cause of the rise is not poor parenting

but relatively low economic or racial barriers. These various viewpoints are all valid.

Pressures

Children are under a lot of pressure from their parents to succeed. Parents want their kids

to acquire scholarships for college, open doors to new opportunities, or develop more self-

confidence. These are valid reasons to pressure teenagers, but it is hard for adolescents to live up

to these expectations (Rogers, Theule, Ryan, Adams, & Keating, 2009). High expectations are
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Depression in Children
reasonable because they motivate kids to perform well, but putting them under constant stress is

detrimental to their health.

While supporting their children in school, parents should also allow them to act like

children. Some children may experience excessive pressure to succeed, and if they don't achieve

their academic goals, this pressure may leave them feeling dismal and despondent (Morin &

Lockhart, 2020). Children under excessive stress are more prone to become physically or

mentally ill, cheat on their assignments or tests, or refuse to accomplish anything (Wike, 2013).

Depression-affected parents will either be disconnected or too involved in their children's

lives (Sacks & Goldhagen, 2013). Children frequently feel rejected when parents detach. When

parents are too involved, it is unhealthy because they put their kids under a lot of strain, are not

aware of their child's needs, and have a hard time recognizing their child's potential. Parents must

be aware of their children's mental health to support their children's success. Because of this,

parents must seek treatment for their depression to exert the right amount of pressure on their

kids without pushing them too hard. In this approach, parents may support their children in doing

their best work and help them concentrate on the process rather than just the outcome.

In the end, the parent must set their expectations for achievement aside and consider what

their child needs. A child will feel validated and be more likely to succeed at the most important

things if they are allowed to be seen, heard, and supported while they work toward their goals.

Poverty Level
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Depression in Children
According to studies, single moms and those with poor earnings are more prone to

experience depression (O'Neil, Wilson, Shaw, & Dishion, 2009). Low-income parents worry that

they can't provide for their children's needs, making them feel less productive (Sacks &

Goldhagen, 2013). These parents may become depressed as a result. A parent's likelihood of

suffering from severe depression increases if their income is below the federal poverty level

because they cannot envision a way out of poverty. They believe they have no hope (Sacks &

Goldhagen, 2013).

Kids struggle when both of their parents are depressed and also struggling financially.

Children may get depressed because their parents cannot handle their emotions. Not only does

the depressed parent not spend as much time reading to or playing with their child in the park,

but they also lack the funds to purchase things necessary for their child’s health and safety, such

as car seats or vaccines. Children from low-income families are more prone to experience

depression because their parents are depressed and unable to provide for their needs (AADA,

2020).

Many lower-income parents don't recognize themselves as depressed and believe their

symptoms result from living in a high-pressure environment. (O'Neil, Wilson, Shaw, & Dishion,

2009). This is a concerning issue and is one reason it is imperative to spread awareness about

depression.

O'Neil, Wilson, Shaw, and Dishion (2009) discovered that the more education a person

has, the fewer symptoms of depression, even among those with poor earnings. Everyone should

pursue education, regardless of their financial situation or mental health.

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Depression in Children
Race

People have claimed that minority children experience depression because their parents

are more prone to experience it themselves. Contrarily, depression is an illness that affects

people of all ages, male and female, Caucasian and Hispanic, rich and poor (Bailey, Mokonogho,

& Kumar, 2017). About nine and a half million Americans suffer from severe or major

depressional disorder. Because they typically have lower incomes, fewer persons of minority

races seek depression treatment. Although not because of race, this does create barriers between

different races. Instead, it's due to a lack of funds and the stigma associated with seeking

treatment for mental health issues (NAMI, 2021).

One thing that differentiates people of different races is how they feel about racism.

People become depressed and fearful of the future when mistreated due to their skin color

(Bailey, Mokonogho, & Kumar, 2017). This is because parents are less inclined to express their

grief, rage, or suffering to their kids. Children who are depressed need to be treated carefully,

regardless of their race or financial status (Anderson & Hussain, 2014).

When racial minorities encounter stressful life events from lower socioeconomic origins,

depression is widespread (Anderson & Hussain, 2014). People of a racial minority often believe

they already lack an advantage because of their race. Many minorities believe that people

constantly look down on them. As a result of the pressure from their parents to exceed the

expectation of others, young people of minority races often experience additional depression and

anxiety. Due to their parents' depression, children of racial minorities will likely develop

depression.
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Depression in Children
The Affordable Care Act was introduced in 2016 to provide health insurance to 30

million people. One goal was to assist minorities with access to healthcare that includes physical

and mental health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). As insurance coverage

increased, there were fewer physicians available in minority communities. Most people prefer to

receive care from someone who shares their racial or ethnic origin. Because of this, it is crucial

to encourage people of minority origin to pursue higher education, particularly in mental health.

Minority races' increased knowledge of mental health will aid those from their races and

ethnicities in receiving the necessary mental care.

Conclusion

Because it benefits their health and the entire family, parents should be encouraged to get

therapy for their depression. If parental depression is not treated, it will be difficult to treat

childhood depression and anxiety, increasing the likelihood that more and more parents will

experience depression. It's essential to break this harmful behavior.

Health is vital for everyone, but those who suffer from depression and anxiety need it

even more. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). You can manage the symptoms

by receiving the appropriate mental health care and leading a healthy lifestyle. Being physically

active, eating well, and getting adequate sleep are components of a healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, it can be beneficial to shift your perspective, recall a pleasant experience, ask

someone else how their life is doing, create plans, and anticipate an enjoyable activity

(Amatenstein, 2020).

Here are some excellent suggestions for overcoming depression(Greenberg, Fournier,

Sisitsky, Pike, & Kessler, 2017). They claim that mindfulness is one of the most crucial things
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Depression in Children
one can practice. Negative ideas have the power to influence actions and, ultimately, emotion.

Individuals have less time to worry if they concentrate on their five senses and what they are

experiencing here and now. This will lessen the likelihood that the person will allow negative

ideas to creep in and exacerbate their symptoms of depression.

Get enough sleep, forgive people who have wronged you, work out, take a walk, or keep

your body moving. Maintain relationships with friends and family. Additionally, it's beneficial to

listen to uplifting music, and the use of lightbulbs with a higher wattage or direct sunlight is

helpful. These are excellent suggestions to help with current depression, but professional therapy

is best for clinical or long-term depression (Greenberg, Fournier, Sisitsky, Pike, & Kessler,

2017).

Children's happiness is influenced by how well their parents handle their own depression.

For depression and anxiety, people of all ages require assistance, but parents of young children

are most in need of it. Please seek the assistance you require for the children's sake.
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Depression in Children

References

Amatenstein, S. (2020). How to overcome depression: 5 things you can do now to make a

meaningful impact. Retrieved from Psycom: https://www.psycom.net/therapist-plan-for-

overcoming-depression/

American Pregnancy Association. (2020). Baby blues. Retrieved from American Pregnancy

Association: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/baby-

blues-71032/

Anderson, R. E., & Hussain, S. B. (2014). The role of discrimination in parental depression and

child emotional problems among low-income Black families. Retrieved from American

Psychological Association:

https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/newsletter/2014/05/black-families
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Depression in Children
Bailey, R., Mokonogho, J., & Kumar, A. (2017). Racial and ethnic differences in depression:

current perspectives. Retrieved from Dovepress: https://www.dovepress.com/racial-and-

ethnic-differences-in-depression-current-perspectives-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Anxiety and depression in children: Get the

facts. Retrieved from Children's Mental Health:

https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-depression-children.html

Cole, P. M., Luby, J., & Sullivan, M. W. (2008). Partnering for success: Implementing a cross-

systems collaborative model. Retrieved from Society for Research in Child Development:

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-8606.2008.00056.x

Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Don’t leave childhood depression untreated. Retrieved

from Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-

updates/fda-dont-leave-childhood-depression-untreated

Ghandour, R. M., Sherman, L. J., Vladutiu, C. J., Lynch, S. E., Bitsko, R. H., & Blumberg, S. J.

(2020). Prevalence and treatment of depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in US

children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 206, 256-267.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021

Gormally, S., Barr, R. G., Wertheim, L., Alkawaf, R., Calinoiu, N., & Young, S. N. (2002).

Contact and nutrient caregiving effects on newborn pain responses. Developmental

Medicine and Child Neurology, (43), 28-38.

https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511975394.004

Greenberg, P. E., Fournier, A.-A., Sisitsky, T., Pike, C. T., & Kessler, R. C. (2017). The

economic burden of adults with major depressive disorder in the United States (2005 and
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Depression in Children
2010). The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 76, 155-162.

https://doi.com/10.4088/JCP.14m09298. Retrieved from Psychiatrist.com.

Mayo Clinic. (2018). Teen depression. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-

20350985

Morin, A., & Lockhart, A.-L. T. (2020). The dangers of putting too much pressure on kids.

Retrieved from Very Well Family: https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-dangers-of-

putting-too-much-pressure-on-kids-1094823#:~:text=Here%20are%20just%20a%20few

%20of%20the%20consequences,of%20developing%20depression%20or%20other

%20mental%20health%20conditions

NAMI. (2021). Mental health by the numbers. Retrieved from National Alliance on Mental

Illness: https://www.nami.org/mhstats

O’Neil, J., Wilson, M. N., Shaw, D. S., & Dishion, T. J. (2009). The relationship between

parental efficacy and depressive symptoms in a diverse sample of low-income mothers.

Child Family Studies, (18), 643-652. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9265-y

Rogers, M. A., Theule, J., Ryan, B. A., Adams, G. R., & Keating, L. (2009). Parental

involvement and children's school achievement: Evidence for mediating processes.

Sacks, V., & Goldhagen, S. (2013). A troubling combination: Depression, poverty, and

parenting. Retrieved from Child Trends:

Wike, R. (2013). Americans say kids need more pressure in school, Chinese say less. Retrieved

from Pew Research Center:

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Depression in Children
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/08/22/americans-say-kids-need-more-

pressure-in-school-chinese-say-less/