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eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )
How
Does Depression Affect People
with Learning Disabilities?
For many people with learning disabilities
(LD), it is hard for them to express what they are feeling.
Without being able to effectively verbalize what
they need, want, or feel many LD people will let their action
speak for
them. This can be a sign that something is truly wrong and
should not be ignored or thought of as a temper tantrum. Any
sudden changes in mood, behavior, or activities could be a
clear sign of depression. Another sign is when the LD person
can no longer do the things they were previously able to do.
Depression is very common among the learning disabled. They
are always under pressure and have a hard time with many normal
aspects of life. The learning disabled have a hard time making
and keeping friends and are often socially isolated. It is
all too easy for people to assume the behavior is because of
the learning disability and not that the person is suffering
inside and in many instances in silence.
Adolescents
and adults with LD become withdrawn and reclusive. Many
times they will become quiet, agitated, irritable, or even
angry. Many will try to talk about their sadness, or act
sad and no one will notice. Children have a different array
of signs and symptoms than adults. Their clues tend to lean
more to the nonverbal and exhibit themselves more as behavioral
than anything else. A major depressive episode can last for
several weeks or longer and can be very intense. For mild chronic
depression, known as dysthymia may last for months on end and
only display itself as unusual moods and personality issues.
Children who suffer with learning disabilities are especially
prone to chronic depression. It can be easier for one to see
depression in adults and adolescents and get them the help
and support they need. Children tend to be more difficult to
figure out when it comes to depression.
There
are several signs to be that can indicate depression in
children but many are over looked. An increase in whining,
anger, irritability, and/or moodiness that are not do to physical
illness or malady is a definite sign of depression. You should
also be concerned if your child shows major changes in sleep
patterns, loss of appetite and/or energy. These are all key
warning signs that something is not right and depression might
be the culprit. A big sign is when a child loses interest in
all their relationships, friends, activities or sports, and
playing. Children who speak negatively and apologetic about
themselves and exhibit low self-esteem are showing signs of
depression. Many children will have a difficulty with concentration
and indecisiveness. If your child or nay child you know has
displayed these behaviors call the doctor and have them evaluated.
If depression is left unchecked and treated, it can cause
many negative effects. For many LD people, it can interfere
with the person’s family, friends, social functioning, work,
and academics. This can cause a never-ending circle
of frustration and disappointment for the person. They may complain about
physical ailments and pains more frequently that can cause
adverse effects on performance, such as headaches or stomachaches.
The person’s fear and anxiety levels can rise and lead to irritability
and anger, which can cause conflict with co-workers, friends,
parents, and siblings. The LD person is much more likely to
go unnoticed with their depression and one must be aware of
an impending problem. This is especially true for parents of
a learning disabled child.
Parents
need to be aware of the signs and indicators that
their child might be depressed. Trust the parent’s intuition
if you suspect depression in your child. Talk with the school
and the child’s doctor. Make sure to get your child treatment,
especially if the school confirms that the child has been behaving
similarly there as well. Communication between parents and
teachers can help a child not suffer as long from the depression
and keep it from getting severe. Make sure you get help for
your child and follow through with any instructions that the
doctor gives you. Depression is treatable and with medication
and/or therapy your child can be easily released from its grip.
It is never too late to get help for depression and teach those
around us that life is worth living.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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