Depression

Not only adults become depressed. Children and teenagers may also have depression. Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function.

About 5% of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time. Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Depression also tends to run in families.

If one or more of these signs of depression persist, parents should seek help:

• Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
• Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favourite activities
• Persistent boredom; low energy
• Social isolation, poor communication
• Low self esteem and guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Difficulty with relationships
• Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Poor concentration
• A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Talk of or efforts to run away from home
• Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behaviour

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for depressed children. Depression is a real illness that requires professional help. Counselling for depression with Bright Ideas’ Child Psychologist can help your child feel better and find more effective ways of coping with their distress.

Bright Ideas Psychology’s Child Psychologist is trained to provide sensitive and effective counselling for child sexual abuse. Depending on the age of the child, play therapy techniques can be used to help the child or teenager work through what they have been though and reach an understanding.

An appointment can be made to see how Bright Ideas can work with you to resolve this issue. Call 02 9957 5858 to book free 15 mins Phone Consultation or Simply fill the contact us form and we will call you.

The types of issue Bright Ideas can help children & adolescents with are :

• Low self-esteem
• Vocational counselling and coaching for enhanced performance at school
• Case conferencing/ case management with school and other therapists
• Self harm counselling
• Bright Ideas Psychology provides coaching for exam success.
• Bullying at school
• Parenting strategies/ parenting counselling
• Child or teenage behavior problems/ behavioral therapy for children
• Ways to overcome from separation anxiety, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, traumatic stress and phobias)
• Learn creative techniques and strategies to help manage anxiety during this challenging period
• Adjustment difficulties
• Child sexual abuse counselling with a child abuse counselor

A referral is not necessary; however clients can obtain an $81.79 rebate per session from Medicare if they obtain a Mental Health Care Plan from their Doctor. Rebates from many Health Insurers are also available.