Sadness and Depression is Real in Toddlers
Although the world is growing and changing every day, there are certain things that will never change such as the gift of human emotions. We all feel happy, scared, anxious, sad, upset, or worried all the time depending on the situation, and children feel the same way too. There isn't a soul in the world that couldn't disagree kids do not feel happiness and bliss, but a lot of people believe it to be preposterous that kids could feel true sadness or depression. In fact, the two were never even considered or accepted in kids until the 1980s. Depression in children is real although many adults can overlook it. In the US, it is believed that 5% of children and teens go through it according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Kids can suffer from this as early as 2-3 years old, and it is important that the signs are monitored to help diminish the problem by rewiring the brain.
The Difference Between Sadness and Depression
Sadness and depression are alike, yet they are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Feeling a case of the "blues" every once in a while is normal every now and then. There is nothing too unusual about sadness either if they are feeling down because a specific situation caused it; it is temporary even though as parents we want to help our children whenever they are sad too. Where sadness is temporary, depression is chronic. Kids that are down will lack any enthusiasm or energy; they will withdraw from others; they are not able to concentrate; they can perform poorly and go through what is known as "Preschool Depression." If they can communicate, they may belittle themselves and do not believe they are worthy of anything. Other things to watch out for are:
- Changes in their normal sleep pattern
- A sudden increase or decrease in their appetite
- Constant anger or irritability
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection
- Physical complaints that do not respond to treatment
- Crying or outbursts
- Thoughts of not wanting to live
What Can I Do to Help?
You will have to determine if what your child is feeling is sadness or depression and be there for them. When they are toddlers your child experiences large leaps in the sense they are trying to understand their own feelings as they emotionally grow. One of the main things you should do as a parent is converse with so they can open up and express their
feelings, and open up to self-expression if they can talk. You want to teach them ways to cope if they ever feel it again or find a way to make them feel better by doing something. Help your child when they are sad to help them get out of the slump. The same also goes for toddlers who are depressed, but you want to go that extra mile. It may be possible they are suffering from a behavioral disorder such as ADHD or ODD where depression is a symptom. If the depression is chronic, it is also important to talk to a doctor or therapist.
A Natural Route To Treat Sadness and Depression
The feelings a toddler feels can be controlled by enabling them to realize your feelings to an outcome are a choice and it can be changed. Sadness and depression are not eternal; they can be completely reversed without the help of medication. If you can be there for your child, talk with them, and do what you can to help, it is the right path to take and get them to feel better. Control sadness and depression in toddlers naturally using Baltic Essentials Amethyst and Lemon Amber Necklaces. The amber from the necklace is made from succinic acid will help keep your child's pH balanced and provide them with the energy that they lost. Amethyst works as an analgesic to relieve sadness and depression. It is powerful enough to dissolve feelings of negativity in your toddler too.