The season to enjoy the cosiness is here, but it also comes with cooler weather and less daylight, which can make your child less motivated and engaged. Some children face this winter blues or SAD. According to WebMD, almost 10 million people in India experience the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition presents a challenge for parents too, as some are still unaware of the situation and may mistakenly interpret it as a tantrum for their children.
In this blog, we will help you explore what seasonal affective disorder is and how to deal with this in children.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that majorly occurs in fall or winter, mainly when people get less exposure to light. Due to that, the chemical reaction happens in the mind and makes you feel irritated, your energy level drops, and you start to think about the negative side of people. As per experts, SAD is more likely to occur in boys than girls at an early age, and by age, it started to increase in females and decrease in males.
The source from which we get Vitamin D is the sun. Due to the reduced exposure, the natural circadian rhythm of the body also gets disrupted, which helps to boost serotonin affected in the winter season because of the less exposure to daylight. Not only that, the hypothalamus in the body impacted and increased melatonin production more than usual, which is responsible for sleep, also got impacted and left people fatigued and lethargic.
Important note:
It is important to recognize that, if your child participates in stressful sports or always gets depressed, they don’t fall under SAD because their mood is not dependent on the season. If you find your children in such a situation, kindly look after them and consult with a specialist. Cradle Children Hospital believes that every child has their uniqueness, which is why treatments should be tailored to fulfil unique development needs.
Symptoms of SAD:
- Feeling listless
- Low energy throughout the day
- Difficulty in concentrating on homework
- Feeling hopeless, guilty, and worthless
- Loss of interest in hobbies or the things that motivate your child
Winter and Sall Symptoms:
- Oversleeping
- Tired
- Frequently weight gain
- Loss of appetite or feeling hungry all the time
Summer and Spring Symptoms:
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Irritated all the time
- Your child is not sleeping well
How to Parent a Depressed Child?
Parenting a depressed child is not an easy task, but with the right strategies, you can combat the challenges. Here are some of the tips:
- Encourage outdoor activities– it is important for them to absorb the natural light of the environment, as it significantly boosts their moods. Encourage them towards their favourite sports or activities—this can aid in improving their mood.
- Talk to your child– you need to understand what your child is bearing. Sit with them and talk to them about how they are feeling, why they are feeling depressed, and the trigger points. It may take time, but after some time, they will open up themselves with you.
- Antidepressant– this may sound very overwhelming, but medications like SSRIs and light therapy (which help to mimic the sunlight) help in reducing the symptoms and treat children effectively.
- Talk therapy– you might be thinking taking your child to a therapist is a big deal, but actually, it is not. Take your child to a therapist, as they can help in combating the negative thoughts, feelings, emotional disbalance, etc. It is crucial to know whether your child is having any symptoms because of a medical condition or not. Sometimes, SAD is misdiagnosed as infectious mononucleosis, hypothyroidism, or hypoglycemia.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy– it will help to learn about their moods, behaviour, feelings, and thoughts. By that time, they assist in learning the skills of your child and also allow them to learn coping mechanisms to manage intense emotions. It includes the routine to support effective sleeping, eating, social connection, and screen time.
- Prioritizing healthy habits—indulging them in new activities can spark excitement in your child. Additionally, add healthy food items to their diet to fulfil their nutritional value.
The advice given by the doctors is “Be realistic.” Don’t pressurize yourself and your child to meet unexpected things. Let them enjoy their childhood with ease because you never know if that pressure can trigger stress in them.
When do you need to worry?
All kids get moody and show tantrums, especially when they want something. Being a parent, think about the normal behaviour of your child, whatever normal means for them. Maybe your child used to love eating a variety of food or love to play with you, but now, they are not enjoying it anymore.
Risk factors or triggering points of SAD
- Decreased sunlight
- Holiday Stress
- Social isolation
- Family stress
- Academic pressure
- Overcast days
- Family history of SAD
- Toxic family environment
- Geographic location
- Always dealing with stress
Losing motivation is one thing, but if they stop enjoying those things that used to excite them, and they feel irritated all the time and not feeling good, then it is time to recognize the issue. You can’t suddenly judge as SAD, but you need to start noticing the things. Because this is also something new for them, and they don’t know how to express their feelings.
If you notice any of the symptoms, seek professional help from a paediatrician, as early intervention can effectively improve your child’s health.
End Note
It becomes tricky to handle if you don’t know the condition because it has become common for children to feel low or down some days. However, managing SAD in children requires patience, proactive measures, and, most importantly, a supportive environment. Moreover, even after all the efforts, if you feel your child is still feeling depressed, make sure to consult the doctor ASAP.
Pediatricians like Cradle Children’s Hospital help children overcome situations and live healthy and happy life. So, it is always best to ask for help from experts.
Contact us today for a free consultation!
