Dr. Paul Agboola, a Nigerian consultant psychiatrist practitioner, has stressed the detrimental effect of long-lasting depression, particularly in children, noting that it can lead to organ damage. He claims that long-term untreated depression in children may negatively affect the development and health of vital organs, including the brain, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, and blood vessels. Depression in children may persist through to adulthood if it is not addressed while it is still in the early stages.
Depression is one of the most prevalent forms of mental health disorders, and it often coexists with anxiety. In general, depression is deleterious to people’s health and has been correlated with higher suicide attempts. Thus, it is much more crucial to pay extra attention to a depressed victim in order to prevent an unprecedented scenario. Dr. Agboola, who is also a Provost and Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, urged parents of depressed children to seek professional help.
21 percent of Nigerians between age of 15 – 24 often feel depressed.
At the same time, depression may cause kidney failure as it lowers the hormone that should serve the kidney. Child abuse, a family history of mental problems, environmental variables, traumatic side effects, war, and the murder of parents are all possible causes of depression in youngsters, as stated by the doctor. Some of the symptoms of depression in children include a sudden loss of interest in school, bed wetting, decreased eating, weight loss, and a lack of interest in routine activities.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), depression may occur as a result of abuse, school violence, the loss of a close relative, or family difficulties such as domestic violence or family disintegration. Twenty-one percent of Nigerian youth between the ages of 15 and 24 say they often feel depressed, have little interest in doing things, or are worried, nervous, or anxious, according to data from a survey conducted by UNICEF and Gallup and released in 2021 in advance of World Children’s Day, marked annually on November 20th.
Long-term depression may adversely affect one’s mental health.
The mental health professional further said that depression has far-reaching consequences for one’s health as well as that the difficulties associated with depression in children are substantial. Kidney and heart function may be negatively impacted, and the effects can accumulate over time. Suicide is not the sole symptom of depression among children, long-term untreated depression may have a negative effect on one’s mental health by decreasing the production of the hormones necessary for normal brain function.
Childhood depression, however, may go undetected because they lack the linguistic maturity of adults and hence are unable to convey their mental condition using words adequately. It’s not easy to see the subtle indicators of sadness in youngsters, but mental health professionals are equipped to recognize them. Psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, and speech therapists are just a few of the practitioners that may help alleviate children’s depression using a variety of depression treatment strategies.
Those who suffer from depression are at increased risk of self-harm.
Depression is fairly frequent among older children and teens but often goes unchecked. Many children feel down or down at times, it’s a normal part of growing up. Yet these feelings may be troubling when felt deeply over extended periods of time, particularly if they influence a child’s social, familial and educational life. It’s crucial to recognize that children and adolescents who suffer from depression are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide. But nonetheless, this is avoidable when necessary aid is provided.
Related Link
UNICEF: Website
Depression in children is detrimental. – Untreated depression in children may negatively affect vital organs. – Express your point of view.
It is unfortunate children are also going through depression. We need to protect our children and ensure they have good health.
A Nigerian consultant psychiatric practitioner has emphasized the harmful effects of persistent depression, particularly in children, and he said so in a recent interview.
Depression in children that goes untreated for an extended period of time may have a significant impact on the growth and health of important organs, including the brain and the heart.
If the symptoms of depression in children are not treated when they are still in the early stages, the condition may continue into the adult years of the child.
Long-term untreated depression may have a severe influence on one’s mental health by lowering the synthesis of the hormones necessary for regular brain function, but suicidality is only one indication of depression in youngsters.
A decrease in the hormone that should assist the kidney’s function can be caused by depression, which can lead to kidney failure.
We should know that depression is rather common among older children and teenagers, yet it is frequently undiagnosed and untreated.
When these sensations are experienced intensely over an extended period of time, particularly if they influence a child’s social life, home life, or educational life, they might be problematic for the youngster.
In a recent interview, a consultant psychiatrist from Nigeria discussed the pernicious effects of depression, especially in youngsters.
Untreated depression in children will do more harm to their body we need to protect our children so their health can be careful attend to well
Side effects of depression is very critical; not to even talk of depression in children. parents are urged to seek professional help if any of the outlined causes are being notice because depression in children may persist through to adulthood if it is not addressed while it is still in the early stages.
If a kid’s depression is not addressed while it is still in its early stages, it is more likely to persist into the adult years of the child.
Low levels of a hormone that helps the kidneys work can develop due to depression, making kidney failure more likely.
These days depression is common thing in the society. Many have committed suicide under the influence of depression. Now children that were not properly examine and well treated will have their vital organs in the body affected.
Things happening in our generation are becoming wield and alarming. how can 21 percent of Nigerians between age of 15 – 24 often feel depressed. It is strange. Anyways, everyone most endeavor to make sure that children with such nature are handle with care also awareness needs to be created.
Untreated depression in children may negatively affect vital organs. depression is very bad. We need to encourage our children. They need show them much love
Because children lack the verbal maturity of adults and can therefore not appropriately communicate their mental status using words, childhood depression may go unnoticed. So, it is important to focus on children.
We should be aware that although depression is usually misdiagnosed and left untreated in older children and teenagers, it is a fairly common condition.