If you are the parent of a child with depression, you already know about the sleepless nights, lying awake wondering what they are doing, if they are asleep and what tomorrow will be like for them. If you haven’t sought treatment for their depression for whatever reason, you could be doing them a grave disservice. While many parents don’t want their child ‘labelled’ because they received psychiatric treatment so they avoid it and hope for their child’s depression to go away on its own.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen and long term depression, if left untreated, can cause new problems of its own. Let’s take a look at some of the dangers of untreated, long term depression in children.
The Consequences Of Long Term Depression
Relationship Problems- children who suffer from depression become adults who suffer from depression if it is left untreated and that can lead to loss of friendships, difficulty making new friends and becoming involved in abusive relationships.
Recurrent Depression- depression is a condition that can lie dormant for many years and become a part of your daily life suddenly. If depression is allowed to go untreated, it could become recurrent and develop into a more severe mental illness.
Risk-Taking And Reckless Behaviour- children who struggle with depression might become involved in risky or reckless behaviour that can include illegal activities as well.
Substance Abuse- some depression sufferers will often turn to illegal substances, prescription drugs or alcohol to relieve their symptoms. While this can help them to feel ‘normal’, it can lead to more problems for them later on including addiction.
Academic Decline- if your child has depression and it is left untreated, it can have an effect on their studies now and at university.
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors- this is one of the most serious risks of depression and something that every parent of a child with depression fears most. If your child is considering suicide, getting immediate treatment for their depression is important.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
While every child is different, and every child experiences the symptoms of depression differently, depression is still a dangerous condition that must receive treatment right away. One option that works for many children and avoids the pressure and stigma of psychiatric care and medications, is cognitive behavioural therapy.
Oxford CBT offers cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in children and adults in Oxford, Birmingham, Twyford and Bicester that can help reduce the feelings of depression until they are completely gone and the child can live a normal, healthy life without the constant feeling of depression always with them.
Contact Oxford CBT To Learn More
To learn more about cognitive behavioural therapy, contact Oxford CBT today and speak with the leader in cognitive behavioural therapy and therapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders for children and adults.
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