Many parents often have doubts about whether or not they are doing their best to raise their children. It is a common and natural feeling to wonder about their capacity to be parents. However, for parents who are dealing with depression, this concern can become overwhelming.
Depression can negatively impact self-esteem and make it difficult to participate in daily activities, making it challenging to be there for their children. It is important to know that if you are a parent struggling with depression, you are not alone. According to recent statistics, 8.4% of adults in the US, or 21 million people, have experienced a major depressive episode. Some studies suggest that the risk of depression may be higher for parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Parental depression weakens parenting skills.
The relationship between a parent’s mental health and their child’s development is well established. Parents who are struggling with depression may experience challenges with their mood, thinking, and ability to participate in daily activities such as sleep, eating, and work.
Depressed parents are also more likely to engage in negative behaviors, such as being hostile, withdrawn, abusive, or neglectful, and less likely to be warm, sensitive, and responsive to their children’s needs. This has been observed in both mothers and fathers with depression, although there has been significantly less research conducted with fathers.
Parental depression affects children’s emotional growth.
Young children may have difficulty learning how to appropriately react to difficult situations without stable emotional role models. When a parent is struggling with depression, older children may feel a sense of responsibility that is beyond their years and step into a parent-like role, taking on responsibilities like decision-making and household chores.
This can lead to a lack of support for the child and result in missed opportunities for age-appropriate activities, such as schoolwork and spending time with friends, if the depressed parent is unable to care for them or maintain hygiene and housekeeping.
Parental depression influences children’s mental health.
Research has found that children of depressed parents, particularly mothers, are more likely to experience depression themselves. The study also showed that a father’s depression has a greater impact on a child’s school performance. This study emphasizes the importance of family interventions in treating depression, especially when the depression occurs during a child’s life, as it has a greater impact than depression before the child’s birth.
The study emphasizes the significance of maintaining good mental health for both mothers and fathers before, during, and after giving birth. It suggests that depression can affect family life and calls for family-focused interventions to address depression in parents.
Depressed parents choose to hide their condition.
The shame and fear of losing their children often lead depressed parents to hide their feelings and situations. Despite this, many do not seek treatment due to the stigma surrounding mental health or by prioritizing their family’s needs over their own.
Some parents believe that their symptoms are temporary or manageable without help, but untreated depression can lead to recurrent episodes and become worse over time. Thus, it is important to seek treatment for depression in the same way as any other physical health condition, as it rarely resolves on its own.
Parental depression should be discussed with children.
Children, even at a young age, can sense when a parent is going through depression, even if they do not fully understand or articulate it. It can be helpful for the child to be given an explanation that is appropriate for their age.
Having conversations with children that are suited to their age and development level is an effective way for them to understand what is going on. For example, with younger children, it might be suitable to simply explain that the parent is not feeling well and has a condition that affects their mind, causing them to feel more tired than they appear. It is also crucial to emphasize that the parent’s feelings are not the child’s fault, as young children tend to take responsibility for problems around them.
Depressed parents must seek professional treatment.
Treating depression is the most effective way to ensure the mental well-being of children. There are various interventions available for parents with depression, including therapy, medication, support groups, and family therapy, which can help families develop communication and coping skills together.
It is also important to have a support network to help the whole family when dealing with depression. Involve other adults, including the other parent, in providing support. Having friends and family members available to help during tough times can reduce stress for the entire family.
It is important to understand that depression is different from the normal stress that all parents experience. While all parents have difficult days and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times, depression symptoms persist even on good days and may be exacerbated by stressful ones. For example, while feeling anxious about a busy day occasionally is a normal part of parenting, feeling so down that you cannot get out of bed frequently is a sign of depression.
If you suspect that you are struggling with depression, do not hesitate to ask for help. Mindshift Psychological Services provides treatment programs that will help with mental health management. Visit our website to learn more about us. You may also contact us at (714) 584-9700 to schedule an appointment.
