Parents want to keep their children safe. In many cases, this means preventing sickness and ensuring that they use protective gear during activities. When it comes to mental health, however, parents can feel helpless as it can be harder to know how to help. Fortunately, parents can turn to the team at Touchpoint Pediatrics for support. We can help you better understand pediatric mental health and the signs to look out for if you suspect your child may be dealing with depression.
What Is Pediatric Mental Health?
Much like physical ailments, a child’s mental health can have a profound impact on their well-being. Because children are constantly growing, learning, and interacting with their environment, this stage of life is particularly critical for their mental development. Pediatric mental health can encompass a wide range of things, including their social-emotional skills, developmental milestones, the ability to cope with problems, and many other aspects of their lives.
A child’s mental health can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Relationships with their family and community
- Available opportunities in life
- Physical health
- The environment they grow up in
- Impactful life events and experiences (trauma, instability, abuse, hunger, moving, etc.)
- Daily stresses
Kids, like adults, may also suffer from mental health conditions, like depression. This can make it more difficult for them to cope with the factors above.
What Are Some Signs to Look Out for?
Mental health conditions can be difficult to diagnose, especially for those without the knowledge and experience that doctors have. However, this doesn’t mean that parents can’t keep an eye out for signs of depression, including the following:
Excessive Sadness
All children experience emotional ups and downs, which means they’re likely to feel sad from time to time. However, if you notice your child seems consistently sad, hopeless, or irritable, they may be struggling with depression. Unnecessary feelings of guilt or worthlessness are also worth noting.
Disinterest
Children can be very excitable, but those struggling with mental health conditions may seem disinterested in activities that they once loved. This may be accompanied by lethargy or restlessness, as depression can affect one’s energy level and drive. You may even notice that they are sleeping more or less than normal.
Appetite Changes
If you’re wondering whether your child may have a mental health condition like depression, monitor their eating habits. Those with depression tend to either eat noticeably more or less than usual.
Self-Harm
One of the clearest signs that something is wrong is self-destructive behavior. Children who have engaged in self-injury or other forms of self-harm should be brought to see a pediatric mental health specialist right away.
Make a Pediatric Mental Health Appointment Today
Pediatric mental health needs to be taken just as seriously as physical health. At Touchpoint Pediatrics, we have a dedicated team of board-certified pediatricians who are ready to offer personalized care from the moment you and your child walk through the door. One of these pediatricians is Dr. Jennifer Shaw, a board-certified expert in Behavioral Developmental Pediatrics. She and her team of pediatricians perform depression and developmental screenings, helping diagnose and treat mental or behavioral health conditions quickly
As an independent practice, we dedicate the time to care for each patient on a personal level. We will even come in or speak with you via a telemedicine visit after hours or on weekends to help if something urgent has come up. We are located in Chatham, New Jersey, and serving families throughout Morristown, Summit, Berkeley Heights, Hoboken, and beyond. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule an appointment.
