I Hate Myself

Posted by HeatherL | 0 comments

I heard this and my mother’s heart broke. I didn’t understand why my son was so incredibly upset, frustrated, and removed from me. My son didn’t either…he wanted to be happy but his heart just wouldn’t.

Depression is not a condition only for adults or even teens. Children can become depressed. We are not talking just sad and upset because they didn’t go to the movies. I am talking terribly, heart wrenchingly blue. When my son said he hated himself he was under his bed crying. He was 7 years old.

He had never had a large trauma. We (his parents) had never divorced or even talked about it. As far as I knew he was happy one moment and the next he was terribly distraught and removed from me.

Childhood depression happens to many more children than doctors previously believed. “The rate of childhood depression is increasing by 23% a year according to a Harvard Medical Center study” Children can and are becoming depressed and suffering quietly.

Signs to look for include:

• Change in appetite, sleep, or activity
• Less playing with others tending to remain apart more
• More aggressive outbursts and frustrations that is unfounded
• Headaches, stomach aches, vague problems that linger
• Hurting themselves
• Sadness they loss that sparkle and laughter
• Suicidal thoughts please take any suicidal thought seriously

If you suspect there is a problem talk to your child. You may want to talk with your child’s pediatrician. You may even want to have an evaluation with a mental health professional a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Please keep in mind you have not failed as a parent if your child is depressed. Depression is caused by a huge number of things including hormonal changes, medications, genetics, emotional stress (such as a loved one passes away, or parents divorce). What is needed is a focus on healing and staying healthy.

Rally around your child or teen. Let them know that they are never alone! The family is supportive, and ready to help.  We LOVE you!

My son did need medication to help him stabilize. We now know that he most likely started into his depression when he began having seizures.  So part of our plan to stay healthy was to get him settled onto seizure medicines.

As a family we also tried to incorporate more exercise into our life. Sunlight and fresh air are a wonderful means of lifting one’s spirit. Little things like getting fish to care for that live in his room also helped.

Depression is a serious issue but not a life stopping one. We can work with our wonderful children and help them recapture the smiles and laughter. This is not an easy one stop journey. Being aware and actively working to fight depression has helped up tremendously!

Heather Laurie and her husband, Christopher, have been married for 13 wonderful years, and have been blessed with 7 children, two of whom are awaiting them in Heaven. They began their homeschooling journey eight years ago, amidst trials and unexpected journeys, including a genetic disorder, autism, sensory disorders, and lupus. Heather and her husband created the ministry Laurie Family Ministries which includes Special Needs Homeschooling as a way to use their trials for the Lord’s glory and to encourage special needs parents and homeschoolers.