Silent Kids May Signal Depression – Experts Warn

Mental health experts have warned that children who are naturally outspoken but suddenly withdraw into silence may be showing signs of depression.

They cautioned that such behavioural changes are often overlooked by parents and teachers, who may misinterpret them as stubbornness or moodiness.

According to the specialists, depression among children is frequently underdiagnosed because adults fail to recognise the subtle ways it manifests.

They noted that, unlike adults, children may not always articulate their feelings but instead express distress through changes in behaviour, appetite, sleep patterns, or social interaction.

Worldwide, 8% of children and 15% of adolescents experience a mental disorder, but the majority of them do not seek help or receive care, according to the World Health Organisation.

Also, the United Nations Children’s Fund says depression can happen as a reaction to something like abuse, violence in school, the death of someone close, or family problems like domestic violence or family breakdown.

“Someone might get depressed after being stressed for a long time. It can also run in the family. Sometimes we may not know why it happens,” UNICEF states.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise , a Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Tinuola Gunwa-Ajayi, cautioned against the notion that depression is an adult-only condition, insisting that the illness also affects children and adolescents.

According to her, the lack of awareness and poor mental health services for young people are leaving many to suffer in silence, with some resorting to self-harm.

“For example, in Nigeria, it’s still a novel idea to say that children can be depressed. Many people believe depression only happens to adults. But children do go through depression.

“If you had a bubbly, outspoken child who suddenly starts withdrawing into their shell, not wanting to go out, struggling to eat or sleep, or not finding pleasure in things they once enjoyed, those are alarm bells,” the expert said.

Gunwa-Ajayi, who is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, explained that several parents do not know much about mental health and often dismiss early signs in their children or wards.

“Parents must realise and accept that mental health is real. It’s the same with anxiety; if a child suddenly doesn’t want to go to school, avoids friends, or refuses activities they once enjoyed, those are signs not to ignore,” she said.

On what can trigger mental health difficulties in children, the child and adolescent mental health expert said, “Anything can trigger that. Abuse, neglect, bullying at school, unstable parents, or even simply not being heard at home. One major factor is Adverse Childhood Experiences. ACEs are scored out of 10, and the higher the score, the greater the child’s risk of mental health issues in adulthood.”

According to her, parents and guardians need to understand signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to detect early signs of mental health instability in their children or teenagers.

“Sometimes mental health issues begin with how others treat us. Children who are constantly insulted or called names like “ugly” or “fat” often develop low self-esteem, which affects their mental health.

“It is important to support them before their mental health breaks down completely, helping them identify triggers and equipping them with ways to cope, whether through self-help, therapy skills, or even medication, if needed,” the psychiatrist said.

However, Gunwa-Ajayi urged parents to adopt a more attentive and intentional approach to help protect their children’s mental health.

“They (parents) can help by not being dismissive of their children’s concerns. Even if it seems insignificant, it’s important to pay attention.

“If parents are dismissive, they risk overlooking something really important. So, even with all life’s demands, being intentional about connecting with your children is one of the best ways to protect their mental health,” she said.

A Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Paul Agboola, described depression as a persistent state of low mood.

He noted that depression is common in children but not as common as it is in adults.

The provost, however, said depression may be missed when it occurs in children because their verbal fluency might not allow them to express their emotional state like adults.

“So, it is very easy for people around that person not to know that this person is depressed. The symptoms are not classical, like what you see in adults. However, professionals like us can pick up those signs in children.

“Parents, if they are not observant, could miss out on those things in that child. Depression in children, if it is not taken care of, could lead to something else. The child will not be able to develop properly in terms of age, height, and weight”, he added.

The psychiatrist said depression in children could be treated using different methods, including storytelling and the use of pictures.

He said, “The treatment and management of children with depression involve a lot of workers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nutrition experts, and speech therapists.”

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).

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