There are many kinds of abuse. The common thread is a misuse of trust and power. Adults who are supposed to protect and nurture, use children to meet their own needs. Childhood depression may be overlooked.
Childhood depression often results when these adults or older adolescents use their positions of authority to take advantage of innocent children and teens. The abuser might be a parent, a step-parent, a foster parent or an older friend or babysitter.
She might be a school teacher, Sunday School teacher or pastor. The victim might be a timid, fearful child, or a self-conscious teenager. A young person without close family ties can be at higher risk for childhood depression.
The foundations of trust are shattered, and the experience of childhood depression affects the rest of his life.
Childhood depression is like a lens that colors all future relationships.
Childhood depression prevents healthy trust of dependable and caring adults. It wears away at peer relationships, and creates a sense of shame.
From Shame to Hopelessness to Childhood Depression
Helplessness and hopelessness are symptoms of childhood depression. Childhood-depression is a natural result of an abuse experience. If a child can't depend on her parents, teachers and church leaders, who can she trust? Childhood-depression may not get treated unless it presents problems for a troubled adult.
By this time, much damage has happened. Marriages and relationships have been broken, and many losses have occurred.Childhood-depression has taken its toll. But it is never too late to seek treatment.
The Legacy of Abuse
Alcohol and drug abuse patterns, or isolation and multiple mental and physical disorders have developed. We are grateful for the ones who come for treatment.
In childhood-depression, for those who have suffered abuse at the hands of older teens or adults, it is common to believe their situation is hopeless.
They are sure that no one could possibly value or love them after they have been so violated and tarnished.
When drugs and alcohol no longer numb the pain, suicide can look like a reasonable choice. Childhood-depression is a significant risk for substance abuse and suicide.
Cultural Influences- Unfortunately, in our society, we have to be suspicious of people who want to spend time with our children. We can't know who has suffered themselves from childhood depression or abuse.
- We can't afford to take chances, we must be ever watchful to protect our innocent children from people who would harm them.
- We cannot assume that someone is safe to be alone with our child, simply because of his or her position.
These people can be found in the community, the school or the church. Childhood depression increases vulnerability to predatory adults.
- What a shame that the many well meaning and trustworthy adults come under scrutiny.
Many would contribute much to the lives of our children, but are unwilling to risk being perceived as predators.
- Adult volunteers, particularly men, are vulnerable to suspicion if they serve as youth leaders, early childhood educators, or coaches.
The fact is, that many abusers seek jobs where they can be near children.
- The cycle of abuse, hopelessness, childhood depression, and potentially, suicide goes on right under our noses.
Grief in Children: How do they Handle Loss Experiences?
Adolescent and childhood depression, even suicidal thoughts, can occur after the death of a friend or family member.
Losing someone to death may cause a flood of emotions that shock children and teens. It could just be brief or it might stick around a long time.
Each of us experiences grief differently, and we might go through many different emotions and thoughts. Childhood-depression is not always a complication of grief.
Some people cycle through these emotions several times. Different occasions, experiences, or events can remind them of the loss.
Some who are experiencing denial or anger may want to rid themselves of possessions that remind them of the lost friend.
Some Helpful Suggestions for
Dealing with Childhood-Depression
- If loved ones can’t bear to look at certain objects, encourage them to put them away for a few weeks or months before deciding what to do with them.
- These mementos may be a source of comfort later. Encourage surviving friends and siblings to talk to each other about the event and about their reactions. This goes a long way to normalize grief and prevent childhood-depression.
- It's useful to share funny and happy stories about the friend’s life, too. This helps make the loss more real and helps make sense of the death by celebrating the life.
- Answer questions about how the death occurred, to the best of your ability . It is important to be honest, but pay attention to the age and the responses of the child.
- You can also sometimes ask the help of the deceased's family School counselors are trained to deal with childhood-depression.
- A child or teen can feel plagued by feelings of responsibility or “What ifs?” if a friend has died from suicide. Remind them that they are not responsible for the friend’s death. This misplaced responsibility is a setup for childhood-depression.
- Allow them to cry and shout if they need to do so. Childhood-depression may affect individuals in many ways.
Some may find comfort in physical activity or completing hobby projects. Encourage friends to join with others and create a memorial.
- They could work to raise awareness about teen and childhood-depression or other mental illness that led to their friend’s death.
- Take care of yourself. You must maintain your own wellbeing to be of help to kids who are grieving. If you have suffered from childhood-depression, it is never too late to get help.
Get a personalized "Child's Peace Book " for a special child in your life
Fill out the form below to order your individualized "Child's Magic Buttons Peace Book". This book is not meant to take the place of professional mental health counseling.However, it will help the child understand the power of God's love and the special creation he/she is. God alone, not the response of others, our popularity, or any other aspect of our worldly lives, gives us our value.
God never changes, and our value never changes.
I will be contacting you after you receive the book, to follow up on how your child has responded and help direct you to further help if that is necessary.
Every child is unique and precious to God. This does not mean that we are promised an easy or tragedy free life.
With blessings,Karen
