Kids with Anxiety & Depression at All Time High; Things You Should Know

Recently, I came forward about my struggles with anxiety and depression. It hurt me to hear that some more friends of mine have committed suicide due to their depression. I'm not the only one though. Many celebrities and others have been bringing awareness to these terrible diseases. It is way more common than most of of have ever realized. Especially with those who at the surface, seem like they have everything one could ever want or need. We now know this is common with many adults, but when exactly does it start? As you could imagine, anxiety and depression doesn't just happen over night. With that said, there are hundreds of thousands of children in America and right here in the Quad Cities that are suffering from anxiety and depression. over 100 people die a day due to their anxiety and depression and there are more and more of those deaths coming from children. Here are some things you should know that may help you and your kids with depression and anxiety. Don't let it go untreated. Keagan's Rocks definitely helps tackle this issue. Kids need the suicide hotline number and encouragement as much as adults. Yet, there are barley any child therapists out there.

The ADAA (Anxiety & Depression Association of America) says Anxiety and depression are treatable, but 80 percent of kids with a diagnosable anxiety disorder and 60 percent of kids with diagnosable depression are not getting treatment.

Here are some more facts from the ADAA:

• 22 Things People With Mental Illness Wish Their Parents Knew

Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, and every child goes through phases. A phase is temporary and usually harmless. But children who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness, and they start to avoid places and activities.

• See statistics for anxiety disorders among children from the National Institute of Mental Health.

A child who sees a scary movie and then has trouble falling asleep or has a similar temporary fear can be reassured and comforted. But that is not enough to help a child with an anxiety disorder get past his or her fear and anxiety.

• Help your child manage traumatic events.

Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse.

• Find out the two questions all parents of young kids should ask themselves for a high degree of predictability that their child will develop an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders often co-occur with depression as well as eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and others.

With treatment and support, your child can learn how to successfully manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and depression and live a normal childhood.

The following sections will help you get started:

• Childhood anxiety disorders
• Anxiety and depression
• Treatment
• Tips for parents and caregivers
• Anxiety disorders at school
• School refusal
• Resources Free brochures from the National Institute of Mental Health (in English and Spanish)
• Good Mental Health Away From Home Starts Before College
• Mood Disorders and Teenage Girls  Why girls are more vulnerable than boys for anxiety and depression, what signs and symptoms you should look for, and why early intervention is critical.
• Treatment of Children with Mental Illness
• The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction   This brochure describes changes in the brain that occur during the teen years and the significance of this stage of development.