Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression in West Jordan and Serving South Jordan & Riverton, UT

Just like adults, children and teens can also feel sad, hopeless or worried. This is a normal part of being human; however, if your child is constantly sad, hopeless or anxious this can be a cause for concern. It’s important that you don’t just ignore these symptoms, as they could be signs of childhood depression or anxiety. Here at Southwest Children's Clinic, LLC, we work with many families who have children dealing with mental health disorders. 

Signs of Anxiety

Yes, even children will experience fear and worry from time to time. Perhaps they are nervous about their first day of school or worried about an upcoming test. These feelings are normal; however, if your child’s worries and fears start to affect their home, school or social life then it’s probably time to talk with your pediatrician. Some signs of anxiety in children and teens include:

• Experiencing extreme fear around certain objects or scenarios (e.g. airplanes; animals)
• Experiencing intense anxiety when separated from parents or family
• Experiencing intense worry around going to school or socializing with others
• Fear of the future or worried that bad things will happen to them or their family

If your child suffers from panic disorders they may also experience lightheadedness, rapid heart rate and sweating during an attack. It’s also normal for children with anxiety to complain of poor sleep, decreased appetite, fatigue and stomach issues.

Signs of Depression

While you never want to see your child sad, this emotion is one that everyone will experience; however, if your child has been displaying signs of depression for more than two weeks, it’s time to speak with their pediatrician. These signs include:

• Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not sleeping enough)
• Appetite changes (overeating or loss of appetite)
• Lack of enjoyment in things that once brought them pleasure
• Feeling hopeless, sad or worthless
• Increased irritability and mood swings
• Trouble concentrating
• Self-harm or harm to others

Bringing Your Child in For an Evaluation

If your child is displaying any of the telltale symptoms of anxiety or depression it’s important to talk with our healthcare provider to determine the next steps. While we can easily examine your child and look for these same symptoms, we can also provide you with the proper resources and mental health referrals to ensure that your child gets the evaluation and comprehensive treatment they need to manage their anxiety or depression for the long term.

We can also work with families to determine ways to improve their child’s lifestyle (e.g. dietary changes; supplements; regular exercise) in order to better manage symptoms and improve mental outlook.

If your child is showing symptoms of depression or anxiety it’s important to talk with your pediatrician as soon as possible. Call Southwest Children's Clinic, LLC in our West Jordan, UT office at (801) 563-1975. We serve South Jordan, Riverton, and surrounding UT areas, so call now!