Anger can be a “normal” feeling for everyone, including children. It can be a healthy and useful emotion. It can also be common for small children as they are just learning to communicate and can feel easily frustrated when they are not understood. This is where the phrase “big emotions, tiny bodies” stems from. While anger is natural, extreme anger that occurs frequently and excessively with little provocation, may be cause for concern. Not all anger is healthy and could be a sign of depression.

Children and Depression Statistics

Depression can affect children; it is not limited to the adult experience. Studies have shown that about 4 in every 100 (4%) preschoolers and 10 in every 100 (10%) school aged children can be affected by depression. Studies also show that 2 out of 100 (2%) suffer from major depression. The statistics are higher for children older than 12.

Such statistics can make it even more important to know the signs and symptoms of depression. The idea of your child having depression can be frightening. It can be helpful to know that depression is treatable, it can get better and go into remission. Counseling can help.

Symptoms of Depression

One of the hallmark symptoms of depression is sadness. If you begin to notice a change in your child’s behavior, or if you find yourself saying “they used to be a happy child”, you may want to look further. When children are experiencing symptoms of depression they may experience sadness, though they may also experience irritability, be withdrawn, avoid others and/or no longer enjoy things they used to find fun. . Your child may also exhibit changes in eating, sleeping, concentration and ability to make decisions as well.

This is where anger can come in. If your child is feeling increasingly more irritable it is likely they will feel angry as well. Experiencing any of the symptoms above may also lead to anger. Anger is complicated, it is one of the few emotions that we have that is a secondary emotion. This means that we rarely feel angry simply because we are angry. We feel angry because of another emotion, likely one that makes us feel vulnerable so we express those feelings through anger. This can be a lot for an adult to digest, imagine how complicated it may feel for your child.

Guiding Through Depression

Children can have limited understanding of what is happening in their minds or in regard to their emotions. They may feel helpless and simply sit in negative feelings day in and day out. If symptoms of depression go undiagnosed, children may be labeled as defiant, when in reality their behavior is actually a sign of depression. This can cause a great deal of difficulty in functioning at school, home and with peers.

Depression is treatable. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC today. Licensed, independently contracted therapists can help you and your child get to the root of anger and work toward a healthier future. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• Helping Your Child Who is Showing Signs of Depression/Sadness/Hopelessness /Hurt
• The Angry Depressed Child: Taking a Second Look
• Child Anger: Can This be a Sign of Depression