How your child's rigid thinking can contribute to their depression

There is a high correlation between rigid thinking and depression. Whether one causes the other is less important than an understanding of the importance of flexible thinking. Do hear your kids say “I can’t do that because I’m not that kind of person”? I know I do. They might view themselves as “not sporty” or “not a dancer” or “not sociable”, and these are all examples of rigid thinking. Labels can trap our children, and when someone feels trapped and they can’t see a way out, they can feel powerless, and this is a high risk factor for depression.
 
The long and short of it is:
 
Don’t let your kids box themselves in with labels or restrictive self-statements. At a young age, they should be sampling everything life has to offer, so they can gradually realize their strengths and potential.
Challenge rigid thinking at every moment, and you will be doing a great thing for your kids and their efforts to keep depression at bay.
 
I hope you found this useful. I would love to hear your thoughts, whether that is via private message or comments below.
 
Chris Warren-Dickins
Psychotherapist & Author of The Beast of Gloom (a children's book about depression)
 
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