How depression can twist your child's thinking

Depression can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to think clearly. Here are two examples of these cognitive distortions:
 
1. They over-estimate seriousness of challenges they face; and
2. They underestimate their ability to handle these challenges.
 
As a parent or teacher, you can help your child by spotting when they might be suffering from these cognitive distortions. I have added three more examples below, and then I offer a few quick tips to support them through this:
 
1. Catastrophizing - This is when someone assumes thing will turn out worse than they are likely to be. Examples include:
· A child's parents are arguing and the child assumes they will get a divorce.
· A child gets an answer wrong in a test and they assume they are completely incompetent.
 
2. Personalization - This is when your child overemphasizes their role in a situation that is creating them distress. Examples include:
· There is an argument between friends and the child assumes it is all their fault.
· The teacher is angry at the class and the child thinks the anger is directed at them.
 
3. All-or-Nothing Thinking is when someone can't see a middle ground, and so they adopt assumptions and beliefs such as
· I can never make a mistake; or
· If I don't get perfect grades, school is a waste of my time.
 
To help children with these cognitive distortions, try and reality-test their assumptions. How likely is it that what they fear will happen will actually occur? If the event might occur, make a list of all their strengths and resources they can use in that event. You can be one of their resources, to offer constant support. Finally, remind them that often things feel worse and less manageable when we are feeling depressed, and when the depression passes, things might seem a lot less unmanageable.
 
I hope you found this useful. I would love to hear your thoughts, whether that is via private message or comments below.
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Chris Warren-Dickins
Psychotherapist & Author of The Beast of Gloom
 
#depression #childrensmentalhealth #TheBeastOfGloom #ChrisWarrenDickins