Mumsnetters aren't necessarily qualified to help if your child is unwell. If you need professional help, please contact your GP or local mental health support services.
Mumsnetters aren't necessarily qualified to help if your child is unwell. If you need professional help, please contact your GP or local mental health support services.
Child mental health
Chance of child developing depression
Boomerwang · 10/01/2021 22:44
Hello and thanks for reading. My 8 year old daughter has started having obtrusive thoughts at bedtime. If she isn't particularly tired she will go off down the rabbit hole of negative thoughts and end up sobbing. I immediately blamed stuff she's seen on youtube and I've gone through her history to see if I need to keep a closer eye on what she sees. I recognised myself in her and that got me to worrying about the chances of her developing anxiety and depression. I suffer from it but it is well controlled with medication. Her father suffers badly from depression and anxiety and doesn't seem to have it completely under control. I'm worried about the balance of environmental factors such as living with her father and of course whether she could inherit the illness. I don't think my depression was triggered by anything. I've always been like this since puberty. She will reach that soon. I'd like to know from parents with depression if their child was diagnosed with it, and what were the first signs please? I can't bear the thought of missing it when I know how terribly it can corrupt early life. Thank you
SleepingStandingUp · 10/01/2021 22:47
What kind of things is she watching and crying about op?
FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 10/01/2021 23:00
It is so horrible when they have times like this but you can help. I have a lifetime of mental health problems as I'm bipolar and have found the best way to help is through trying to develop a positive mind set. Not dwelling on bad feelings and finding positive in the every day.
Lots of good healthy food, lots of exercise, time with friends, out in nature. Chatting about fun things, playing games.
Allow time to talk about feelings and issues not to the point where these are given too much power. Sometimes a bit of a brush off of " oh l, we all feel a bit sad sometimes" and then moving on is important rather than dwelling on the negative.
Learn basic mindfulness and teach her techniques. Do not go over the things that are upsetting her (unless they are things that can be resolved) instead move on to positive things.
FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 10/01/2021 23:02
And absolutely never let her hear you talk about her about your depression linked with her getting depressed. Especially in front of GPs etc get her to leave the room
Boomerwang · 11/01/2021 07:53
Thank you for your kind responses :) I will seek further help with her intrusive thoughts if it doesn't go over soon
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