Did you know that babies can develop depression?
Andria Goss, associate director of clinical and community services at the Erickson Institute, a graduate school specializing in social work, early childhood education and child development programs, said she is surprised when people learn and appreciate that fact.
“Babies experience everything as physical sensations,” she says. “When parents are stressed, depressed, or anxious, babies pick up on that.” “There are times when a mother who is under stress of her own is able to focus on her baby, and other times when she is not interacting with her baby due to interactions, getting angry, or not being able to synchronize with her baby. Imagine it going on and off, and the baby doesn’t know what to do because he’s trying so hard to smile and coo, but it just doesn’t happen. At some point, if all attempts fail, the baby will stop trying and withdraw.
Goss said this is an extreme example, but it shows how babies receive stressors from their environment and don’t know how to deal with them. If these interactions become chronic, they can cause problems in the parent-child relationship.
From locations in River North and Little Village, the Erickson Institute’s Center for Children and Families provides in-person and online mental health services to newborn children and their families in and around Chicago. It’s been going on for ten years.
by Centers for Disease Control and PreventionOne in six children in the United States between the ages of 2 and 8 has been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder, and within that group, boys are more likely than girls to have such disorders. More likely.
“What we do at the Child and Family Center is more of a preventive measure,” Goss said. “The expectation is for the baby to assimilate into my life. But that’s not their job. That’s our job (as adults, as parents).”
When families and schools determine that something may be going wrong with their child, they contact CCF, which focuses on relationship-based therapy. When there is a disconnect and the child is unable to regulate his or her emotions and has a diminished ability to explore and learn, the center tries to connect the dots.
“When we focus on mental health and psychiatric difficulties, it’s a naturally nurturing situation. We call it the Vulnerability Stress Model,” says L.C. Clinical Psychologist and University of Illinois Depression・Sally Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Recovery Center, said: “We all come into this world with some kind of biological vulnerability and we inherit it. And these can be either in ways that protect our development or in ways that are detrimental to our development. It can interact with the environment, and that combination can affect development, even in young children.”
The goals of therapy are to strengthen attunement (a person’s ability to recognize and respond to the child’s needs) and to improve the child’s and caregiver’s abilities, their relationship, and how the caregiver can experience and parent the child. It’s about strengthening.
“What do you want for your baby, understanding where they are and what they need? We’re unpacking those types of things,” Goss said. Ta.
CCF approaches its core through play. Sarah Pugh, a licensed clinical social worker and director of CCF, said the majority of the families they serve have children between the ages of 3 and 6 who receive 18 months of treatment. Told. The center connects caregivers and therapists to gather challenges in the caregiver-child relationship before the child is brought in. When a child comes to a CCF facility, the therapist observes the child as he or she plays with the caregiver, and the clinician notes the play. The development, the theme, and the emotions involved.
“(Children) use play not only to grow and understand the world, but also as a way to share their thoughts and feelings,” Pooh said.
For example, if your child plays with cars or races around town knocking down blocks featuring good and bad guys, he or she may be trying to understand good and evil in the world. “We can join in their play and help regulate cars,” Phu said. “Using and engaging with play as an extension of themselves may provide an entry point, a means for children to internalize play.”
Goss says every action is communication. “We’re trying to get insight into what the child is struggling with,” she says. “We want to assess cognitive skills, motor skills, social skills, emotional skills. It’s not one size fits all.”
Goss said the center meets families where they are and works with families from a racial, cultural and environmental standpoint. Caregivers can make a difference in a child’s life by following their child’s guidance and engaging in treatment.
Participating in therapy helps caregivers regulate themselves and helps them regulate their children. Caregivers and parents can then have more confidence in understanding what is happening to their children. When everyone in the family feels empowered, parents feel empowered and able to cope with whatever comes their way.
“Play is so important to development. … It’s a way for young children to connect with who they are, and we want to connect with them around things that are valuable to them,” Pooh said. . “There’s research on about 10 minutes a day. If you follow your child’s lead and play with them for 10 minutes a day, that’s all it takes for them to build connections. …It’s a huge protective factor for their mental health.” It will be.”
Weinstein agrees that short periods of time can help children build trust with their parents and help parents build confidence and competence. Pugh said playing for 10 minutes every day could be more beneficial than setting aside a few hours of planned family time every few months.
“Finding those moments where there’s joy and joy in who you are and that feels good to both of you will help the relationship and help that connection,” Pooh said.
But when the problem escalates to the point where it requires intervention, especially when children have a wide range of development, symptoms of mental health problems that resemble normal childhood symptoms such as mood swings, big emotions, and irritability. If there are many, how do parents know? , can all of that be part of a child’s experience?
Weinstein said parents should be on the lookout for any interruptions or deviations from typical milestones such as potty training, talking, or walking, and if their child is experiencing such conditions, their child’s supervisor, such as the preschool teacher or childcare staff, should said that they need to heed feedback from those around them. Struggle.
“Children’s brains are changing so much that they have big emotions and have difficulty regulating them, but the great news is that their brains are still developing and are very malleable.” said Mr. Weinstein. “So the more intervention, love and support we have, the more we can fix some of the difficulties.”
Early in the pandemic, Weinstein and Goss noticed an increase in young people being referred for mental health support or seeking support themselves without being prompted by their parents. They said the change shows that acceptance of the treatment is growing.
“When a young child has mental health issues, treatment is not just for that child,” Pugh said. “We can work with both carers and children to think about what carers can bring to this issue, how we can support children, and what children can bring to this issue. We are supporting you.”
Goss added that making changes can be difficult because caregivers need to look at themselves and how they relate and connect in relation to their children.
Weinstein said mental health is key for first-time parents who may face sleep deprivation, burnout or a lack of perceived effectiveness. She encourages her parents to consider talking to other new parents and their pediatricians for support. Parents are the experts on their children and are therefore the first line of intervention.
“There are no hard and fast rules. Even if a teacher says they see your child struggling, that’s no reason to panic. But always ask for support on how to help your child and ask for more. It gives us a reason to understand,” Weinstein said.
