It is January 2022 and for several, we are back to quarantine and NTI ( virtual school). It is hard to believe that nearly 2 years later from the first announcement of Covid-19 we are returning back to pandemic routines. With that said, I wanted to shed some light on what us clinicians have observed during these Covid ridden times. The need for mental health is at all time high.
Recent research suggests a global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms continue to be elevated in children and adolescents during these times. Depressive symptoms in children and adolescents include feelings of sadness, withdrawal from normal activities which were previously enjoyed, irritability, behavior problems as well as disruption of daily functioning such as food intake, sleep all could continue to elevate during the pandemic due to social isolation and social distancing. Anxiety symptoms are manifested as increasing, uncontrollable worry, fear and restlessness as well as physical symptoms such as constricted breathing, increased heart rate, stomach problems and restlessness. Uncertainty and disruptions to daily routine all contribute to an increase in anxiety and depression.
These symptoms can manifest in different ways. Here is what to watch for in your child:
- Lack of focus
Sometimes this is confused with ADHD, however this same lack of focus can be manifested wuth anxiety and depressive thoughts in children. They are often so consumed with their own thoughts that they are unable to pay attention to their environment and engage effectively.
- Avoidance
Avoidance is another sign of depression and anxiety in children. We have a tendency to avoid things or people that are stressful or uncomfortable. Children with anxiety will go to great lengths to avoid anything that is uncomfortable which in turn gives rise to more anxiety and end up having to do more to execute the avoidant behaviors.
- Negativity
Children with anxiety and depression tend to experience increased negative thoughts at a much greater intensity than their peers. They are unable to replace these negative thoughts with positive ones due to lack of insight and coping mechanisms. Once they are able to identify a negative thought, they can replace it with more positive behaviors.
- Overplanning and Defiance
Overplanning and defiance are similar in their roots cause. Anxiety can cause some children to engage in defiant behaviors in attempt to regain control and it others it can cause them to overplan for situations where planning is very minimal or uncalled for.
5.Anger
A big symptom of anxiety is irritability and anger. Stress responses trigger the fight or flight response which in tureen causes children to feel angry without an understanding of why they are angry or irritable. If there is a perception of danger or a “threat” it can trigger the fight or flight response very rapidly.