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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
CHILD DEPRESSION
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
CHILD DEPRESSION
by GERY DOMINGUEZ, Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
I AM A 34 YEAR OLD PARENT OF TWO(TEN AND 4 YR.OLD).MY SON(10)BEGAN THE FIFTH GRADE AND HAS HAD A ROCKY START.I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HIS TEACHER ASKING ABOUT HIS HOME LIFE.HE HAS GOTTEN STRAIGHT F'S AND LAST YEAR WAS A RELATIVELY GOOD STUDENT.THE TEACHER STATES THAT HE NEVER RAISES HIS HEAD IN CLASS AND APPEARS TO BE DEPRESSED.I RELATIVELY AM A DEPRESSED PERSON AND HAVE TRIED MASKING IT TO AVOID PITY OR ATTENTION.MY CONCERN IS, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY DEPRESSION IS SOMEHOW CHANNELING TO MY SON.HE IS VERY SLUGGISH AND THINGS HAVE TO BE SAID TO HIM THREE AND FOUR TIMES BEFORE THEY ARE DONE.ARE MY COMMENTS TO HIM TO STRONG,SOMETIMES I CALL HIM LAZY IN A STRONG TONE.FAMILY LIFE HAS NOT CHANGED AT HOME WHERE I CAN PINPOINT A PROBLEM.I JUST WANT TO BE A GOOD PARENT AND DO WHATS BEST FOR MY CHID. PLEASE HELP.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
, Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
If you are depressed, this can certainly have an influence on your son. And, strictly in a biological sense, if a parent diplays a depressive disorder, a child of that parent will be more vulnerable to depression than will a child of parents who do not display a depressive disorder.
If your son's presentation has changed as dramatically as it seems like it has, it would be wise to seek an evaluation by a pediatric mental health professional.
If your son's presentation has changed as dramatically as it seems like it has, it would be wise to seek an evaluation by a pediatric mental health professional.
Member Comments (4)
by GERY, Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE,HVMA .GERY
by Pam Heider, Sep 26, 2000 12:00AM
It would certainly be in your sons best interest for you to get some help. There are so many antidepressants available for you to help with your depression. Any behavior observed by your child has influence on him, so do the right thing - and start by getting yourself some help. He too, may need professional help if his behavior remains the same.
by pattie, Nov 10, 2000 12:00AM
yes i was wondering if you could give me some information about child depression i mean like i would just like to get some of your point of view of what you think about child depression?
