My 7 year old DGD is waiting for an appointment at CAMHS. She used to be such a happy, confident little girl, but towards the end of the summer holidays she had a complete personality change and started saying that she didn’t want to go back to school. Her parents and we thought it was because she was leaving a teacher under whom she thrived, and moving up to one who was, allegedly, not so good.
Things have not improved and DGD is now anxious about every little thing, is lethargic and tired, not interested in anything, so pale, not eating, not sleeping and doesn’t want to go to school, dancing, swimming or gymnastics, all of which she used to really enjoy. So far her parents have managed to get her to school every morning, but it’s a battleground with bucketloads of tears every day. It’s heartbreaking to see her so unhappy and to leave her in tears, but, apparently, she does eventually settle down. The staff are aware of the situation, and it was they rather than the GP who made the referral to CAMHS. Of course DGD doesn’t know or understand why she’s feeling and behaving like she is, but we’ve all told her it’s an illness from which she will recover (hopefully) and that we know that she can’t help being as she is. It’s hard for her two younger sisters to cope with too.
It’s like deja vu for me as, when she was a few years older than my DGD, my DD (DGD’s auntie) missed a term of school with depression and she was on medication for a long while. I quickly recognised the symptoms and same behaviour patterns in my DGD and my heart sank. I know only too well the feelings of complete helplessness that her parents are experiencing.
It’s so sad that depression is becoming so much more prevalent in children and young adults. I wish there was an easy answer as to why. I wouldn’t wish what DGD and her family are going through on anyone.