An Unlikely Battle: Children With ADHD And Depression
If your child struggles with attention problems, you know how overwhelming life can be for them sometimes. Because of this, it is not uncommon for children with ADHD to also battle with depression. In children with ADHD, depression can have many causes. Fortunately, there are also ways to help. Here are some of the causes and treatments available for helping kids with ADHD overcome depression.
Causes of Depression
For children with ADHD, depression can either be a direct result of their having ADHD, or a totally separate occurrence. If the depression is a result of the child's ADHD, it is often because children with attention issues are often the recipient of ridicule or frustration because of their inability to focus on the task at hand. Another time that a child's ADHD could be the source of his or her depression is when the child desires to be successful at executive functioning skills, but constantly battles the limitations of his or her disorder. Frustration exhibited either toward or by a child with ADHD can over time lead to depression.
Even if a child's depression is not related directly to his or her ADHD, such as in the case of a chemical imbalance, the ADHD may still be a factor when it comes to treating the depression. Speaking with a child psychologist or counselor may be a great first step to recovery.
Treatments for Depression
There are many ways that a professional counselor or psychologist can help a child with ADHD and depression. Often, some of the first treatments do not even involve medication. One of the first approaches to treating depression is often cognitive behavioral therapy. In this therapy, the counselor or psychologist will teach your child constructive ways to solve problems that can lead to depression, thus lessening the depressed feeling.
Another approach to treating depression in children with ADHD is a more holistic approach. By taking into account things like the child's sleeping and eating patterns, diet, and social environment, parents and professionals can work together to find the underlying cause of a child's depression. This may be especially effective for children who are already having to take medication for ADHD, or families who are are concerned with medications for other reasons.
If other approaches are not effective, or if your child's psychologist feels that it is necessary, medication may be prescribed for your child. Anti-depressant medications are usually only given for a short period of time, but they can help to regulate the receptors in the brain that can cause your child to be depressed.
If you notice that your child with ADHD seems depressed, please seek help for them as soon as possible. The quicker they are treated for depression, the sooner they can get back to their energetic, creative, and beautiful life!
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