Does your Kid have Seasonal Affective DepressionThe type of depression that appears in winter and fall with the lowermost daylight is known as a seasonal affective disorder. It boosts in the spring season when the sunlight returns. Most of the time parents consider it as a normal mood swing and ignore it, however, knowing the ways to recognize its signs helps to come up with the proper treatment.
Causes of Seasonal Affective Depression
The exact cause of the seasonal affective disorder is still unknown however, it might be something that occurred to neurochemicals serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is responsible for regulating the mood, and it reduces when there are some hours of daylight. Moreover, melatonin is accountable for regulating the sleeping cycle, while it enhances when daylight disappears. This fluctuation occurs is related to depression.
Experts have declared that SAD is more likely to occur in children who have a history of depression in the family. Moreover, it could also occur in the children who live in high altitudes, due to the change in the season that area tends to be riskier.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Depression
Apart from the sadness and depression, usually, children with seasonal affective depression seem to be irritable, tired, go through changes in school performance, lack of interest in things they like to enjoy, and difficulty in concentration. Moreover, it has also be diagnosed that, those children go through a change in eating patterns. People with SAD most of the time alter their appetite and desire for carbohydrates.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean he would have SAD. It is not unusual that in winters people love to stay at home and feel tired all day. The severity is measured when your kids are showing signs that are not associated with the common winter marks. If symptoms are getting intense and remain for two weeks, or your kid is having a problem in functioning consult with the experts working on children’s depression.
Treatment of Seasonal Affective Depression
Well, there is no confirmed or proven treatment indulged by any of the health experts for SAD in children. However, it could be prevented by healthy habits. Spending time outdoors in the day time, taking enough sleep, routinely exercise and healthy eating habits could treat mild symptoms. If it became severe, children are treated with antidepressants. Moreover, cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychotherapies are also recommended that support them to learn coping strategies. Doctors usually recommend light therapy. This therapy is done by a device that impersonates natural light. It usually happens with the medical facility, but most people have small portable devices at home. This functions normally when your kid is doing their routine activities, by sitting near the box for about 20 minutes while they are reading or playing. This reduces the symptoms as the light wiles the body into being intellectual that it is taking extra daylight. It is more successful in adults and uncommon in kids. Researches are being conducted on the effectiveness of light therapy in kids.