I think my son has childhood depression.

[hrmahoney75]

Hello my son who is 10 was diagnosed with anxiety 2 years ago, we did therapy and things seemed better. We were handling the things that made him anxious. Lately, I have noticed he is so negative about everything that he used to love. His sports, friends and school, he is now negative or at best apathetic. He’s so young for medication, I think. Does anyone have experience with this and/ or certain kinds of therapy. I am so worried and want help him. Thank you!

[BecR1025]

Just curious, but has a doctor ran thyroid tests? My son started like this and it turned out to be his thyroid causing his anxiety, depression, irritability.

[Hidden]

Hi hrmahoney

I sympathise. How to say this...

my best suggestion would be to manage your own anxiety around your son. Set him a good example of how to handle things. I am not suggesting you dismiss his current problems, but try making them smaller by not focussing on them and magnifying them. Find out how to acknowledge and validate his feelings so that he can learn how to cope.

Lots of really helpful stuff written about this for parents. Build up his self-esteem.

He will be picking up on your anxiety around him. Tough for him to worry about you worrying about him at his age. You are his mum, his best therapist so go have some fun with him. Please don’t be offended by my response, cos what do I know?

[Hidden]

You need to understand why He has reverted to His earlier condition. If it was bullying that may be the problem now

If He is having problems with His Education, possibly falling behind you need to discuss that and above with the school especially if Has lost confidence for any reason.

Your Doctor also can be informed if the Anxiety is getting worse again. Sometimes ten year old children may be preparing for examination, that can of course upset the apple cart.

If it is still bullying that could be causing problems You need to talk to your Son and find out what His concerns are

BOB

[hrmahoney75]

Thank you all good points worth examining!!

[hrmahoney75]

Very good point. Thank you.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Sorry to hear about that is his diet good ? Perhaps add some extra omega 3 foods, please be wary of SSRI drugs being prescribed for your son

[hrmahoney75]

He does take a fish oil vitamin but maybe I need to check the dosage. His diet could be better, we are working on that.

[JkBrauer]

Hello,

Yes, I agree, he is too young for anxiety medicine. When our kids were little, our daughter, we thought she had depression too. We had a wonderful school counselor who wanted the best for all of the kids in school. She advised us to take a look at her home life and school life and talk to her teachers and get involved as possible with her school life. So I started volunteering and then became a teachers aide and got to know her teachers and school mates. I am glad we listened. Her problem ended up being a learning problem that the other teachers and kids were pressuring her about. She ended up becoming depressed at home and did not like the things she used to like. So my husband and I went in and talked to the teachers and counselor and worked out a plan that would help her learn easier for her. Then we had to learn to teach and discipline in a more subtle manner. She started to regain her happy behavior and went on to high school after Jr High with a more positive composure. I hope this helps!