What is Parental Depression, and how it affects Children and Parents?

Depression is considered a common mental health disorder affecting around 16 million adults in the US. However, parental depression has been increasing as bundles of studies are being conducted, and each research comes up with increased statistics. It has been observed that parental depression is not only affecting parents, but it has a significant impact on children as well. There are higher risk factors in the overall life of children whose parents are struggling with parental depression.

This depression is common in parents under the age of 18 years. Parental depression is found in both mother and father, and around 15.6 million children are living with depressed parents. This type of depression begins in the mother usually during maternity.

Moreover, parental depression remains untreated in both parents, it could disturb the health and development of children, according to the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Most of the time both mother and father do not know about parental depression, there are few things that both parents should know.

Harmful Effects on Children

There could be harmful effects on children like behavior problems, mental and physical illness, difficulty in controlling stress, learning problems in academic life, and difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships.

Improve Resilience in Children

Studies have also revealed that the two-generation intervention affects parental depression, which more probably improves the ability of understanding and resilience in children. With time, the children of depressed parents become aware and understand their parents are going through some illness which is not their fault.

Undetermined Parental Depression Affects Parenting 

There is a significant connection between parental depression and the development of children. The mental health of parents affects the cognitive behavior of their children. These parents are unable to engage themselves in everyday doings, have mood swings, and difficulty in thinking and decision making. Parents who do not have parental depression are more likely to be involved in negative parenting behaviors.

Treatment could be Effective for both Parents and Children

There are effective treatments for parenting depression, even if it gets worse. The treatment includes both psychotherapy, mind-body practices, and medication. Studies have proven that treatments have positive impacts on both parents and children.

What are the Common Symptoms of Parenting Depression?

The symptoms that are usually observed in parents is low energy levels, sleeping problems, mood changes, and low appetite. In more severe cases, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and poor energy has been reported. The risk factors increase if the problem remains untreated and undetermined. The signs of parental depression include;

• Depressed parents neglect their children most of the time and show inappropriate parenting behaviors. They are less engaged with their children and pay no attention to their words.
• Depressed parents are less likely to respond effectively to their children. They lack responsiveness even do not answer to their cries and gestures.
• The children of depressed parents are usually got late for school or miss most of the time. As parents wake up late with low energy and do not have management skills.