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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions Category4 Vital Tips for Parenting With Depression
Table of Contents:OverviewThe Effects of Parental Depression on ChildrenHow Depression Affects ParentingWhat Should Parents With Depression Do?
DepressionRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: September 25, 2018
Reviewed On: September 25, 2018
Updated On: October 27, 2023
OverviewIf you have children, you know raising kids presents challenges on your best days. Parents with mental illness, however, have it even harder.In particular, parental depression can wreak havoc on a child’s psyche. What’s worse, when children develop problems related to parental depression, the added stress can make that parent’s depression worse. Thus, parental depression can turn into a long-lasting cycle of negative outcomes for the entire family.
Overview
If you have children, you know raising kids presents challenges on your best days. Parents with mental illness, however, have it even harder.
In particular, parental depression can wreak havoc on a child’s psyche. What’s worse, when children develop problems related to parental depression, the added stress can make that parent’s depression worse. Thus, parental depression can turn into a long-lasting cycle of negative outcomes for the entire family.
The Effects of Parental Depression on ChildrenIn my own practice as a therapist who works with children and families, I find when parents struggle withdepression, parenting gets harder for them. Studies agree. In fact, astudypublished in theJournal of the American Medical Associationconcluded, “Parental depression is among the most consistent and well-replicated risk factors for childhood anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders and for major depressive disorder.”Not only do children with depressed parents likely have an increasedgenetic riskfor mental illness themselves, but the parent’s depressive symptoms create additional environmental stress for the child.For example, if you struggle withdepression, you know how hard it can be to maintain your performance at work, your duties at home, and your relationships with friends and family. If depression causes additional stressors such as marital problems or job loss, children also suffer.When children grow up in stressful or uncertain environments, they can develop their own behavioral or emotional problems. Defiance,anxiety, or depression are common outcomes. In fact, the majority of children I see in my practice experience family stressors. We must first address issues with their parents before we can expect the child’s behavior to improve.
The Effects of Parental Depression on Children
In my own practice as a therapist who works with children and families, I find when parents struggle withdepression, parenting gets harder for them. Studies agree. In fact, astudypublished in theJournal of the American Medical Associationconcluded, “Parental depression is among the most consistent and well-replicated risk factors for childhood anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders and for major depressive disorder.”
Not only do children with depressed parents likely have an increasedgenetic riskfor mental illness themselves, but the parent’s depressive symptoms create additional environmental stress for the child.
For example, if you struggle withdepression, you know how hard it can be to maintain your performance at work, your duties at home, and your relationships with friends and family. If depression causes additional stressors such as marital problems or job loss, children also suffer.
When children grow up in stressful or uncertain environments, they can develop their own behavioral or emotional problems. Defiance,anxiety, or depression are common outcomes. In fact, the majority of children I see in my practice experience family stressors. We must first address issues with their parents before we can expect the child’s behavior to improve.
How Depression Affects ParentingDepression is a complex mental illness, and everyone’s experience and challenges with it differ slightly. Here are some ways a parent’s depression affects a child or family, to help recognize where changes can be made.Disrupted attachment and bondingWhen parents struggle with the low energy, lack of joy, and the social withdrawal depression causes, they can’t engage fully with their children. They may even have trouble mustering energy to take care of a child’s basic needs, so children learn to rely on themselves when parents are too hard to reach.Disrupted coping skillsAccording to a recentstudyin the journalEuropean Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children appear to learn different coping mechanisms from mothers and fathers, so depression in either parent can affect how the child handles stress. The authors suggest mothers tend to be a calming influence, providing support when the child is upset. On the other hand, fathers tend to encourage more assertive or active coping strategies.Therefore, while a child’s coping deficits may vary depending on which parent suffers depression, the impact on the child remains.Increased parental guilt or self-blameParents who suffer from depression usually know theirsymptomsaffect their parenting, but may find it difficult to make changes they know their children need. In addition, the negative thought patterns and rumination that go along with depression may make parents assume their parenting is worse than it really is.These factors set up a cycle of guilt and self-criticism that further shakes a parent’s confidence in his or her abilities. In fact, astudyin theMaternal and Child Health Journalfound that feeling more effective as a parent may decrease the parent’s depressive symptoms.Reinforcement of ineffective parenting strategiesIn my experience,parents who believe they caused their children’s problemshave trouble setting appropriate limits with common childhood behaviors (think tantrum-ing toddler or curfew-violating teen).In addition, parents who doubt their abilities may be more anxious, tending toreinforce anxietyin their children rather than confidently facing typical challenges such as separation anxiety. Because they have gotten into ineffective patterns and don’t know what else to do, parents in these situations often give in to misbehavior or inadvertently encourage a child’s distress.
How Depression Affects Parenting
Depression is a complex mental illness, and everyone’s experience and challenges with it differ slightly. Here are some ways a parent’s depression affects a child or family, to help recognize where changes can be made.
Disrupted attachment and bonding
When parents struggle with the low energy, lack of joy, and the social withdrawal depression causes, they can’t engage fully with their children. They may even have trouble mustering energy to take care of a child’s basic needs, so children learn to rely on themselves when parents are too hard to reach.
Disrupted coping skills
According to a recentstudyin the journalEuropean Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children appear to learn different coping mechanisms from mothers and fathers, so depression in either parent can affect how the child handles stress. The authors suggest mothers tend to be a calming influence, providing support when the child is upset. On the other hand, fathers tend to encourage more assertive or active coping strategies.
Therefore, while a child’s coping deficits may vary depending on which parent suffers depression, the impact on the child remains.
Increased parental guilt or self-blame
Parents who suffer from depression usually know theirsymptomsaffect their parenting, but may find it difficult to make changes they know their children need. In addition, the negative thought patterns and rumination that go along with depression may make parents assume their parenting is worse than it really is.
These factors set up a cycle of guilt and self-criticism that further shakes a parent’s confidence in his or her abilities. In fact, astudyin theMaternal and Child Health Journalfound that feeling more effective as a parent may decrease the parent’s depressive symptoms.
Reinforcement of ineffective parenting strategies
In my experience,parents who believe they caused their children’s problemshave trouble setting appropriate limits with common childhood behaviors (think tantrum-ing toddler or curfew-violating teen).
In addition, parents who doubt their abilities may be more anxious, tending toreinforce anxietyin their children rather than confidently facing typical challenges such as separation anxiety. Because they have gotten into ineffective patterns and don’t know what else to do, parents in these situations often give in to misbehavior or inadvertently encourage a child’s distress.
What Should Parents With Depression Do?Parenting with depression doesn’t have to be a permanent or hopeless scenario. There are plenty of ways to find help or treatment for depression, and also provide solutions for your child to help cope with a parent working through mental health challenges.1. Ask for professional help with parentingIn my practice, I find parents with depression benefit from specific guidance on how to parent effectively, not just how to manage their own symptoms. A professional can help you understand typical childhood behavior, how your unique symptoms might affect that behavior, and how to develop a parenting style that works best for you.2. Get help for your childA neutral, trained adult who understands the child’s experience can alleviate much of the distress children experience when a parent has a mental illness. Atherapistcan teach your child about depression and how to cope effectively when it interferes with your relationship.As an added bonus, this therapy can improve the child’s behavioral and emotional problems, breakingnegative cyclesthat make parental depression worse.3. Find joy in small thingsSometimes living with depression means being too overwhelmed to appreciate the moment. Children, however, live in the moment all the time. In addition, they appreciate even the smallest doses of undivided attention. While you get professional help for yourself and your child, look for small joys you can share together. A 10-minute board game, a favorite snack, or a quick walk outside can make a world of difference for you both.4. Find help for yourselfIf you’re struggling with depression, day-to-day living can be overwhelming, especially if you’re also responsible for the welfare of children. Significant depressive symptoms need appropriate treatment.Psychotherapyoffers a wealth of proven benefits; in addition,medication managementcan help some individuals with depression achieve better symptom control.By seeking help, you’ll find that parenting can become easier with time and healing, and your family — including your child (or children) — will benefit from a healthier, more positive environment.
What Should Parents With Depression Do?
Parenting with depression doesn’t have to be a permanent or hopeless scenario. There are plenty of ways to find help or treatment for depression, and also provide solutions for your child to help cope with a parent working through mental health challenges.
1. Ask for professional help with parenting
In my practice, I find parents with depression benefit from specific guidance on how to parent effectively, not just how to manage their own symptoms. A professional can help you understand typical childhood behavior, how your unique symptoms might affect that behavior, and how to develop a parenting style that works best for you.
2. Get help for your child
A neutral, trained adult who understands the child’s experience can alleviate much of the distress children experience when a parent has a mental illness. Atherapistcan teach your child about depression and how to cope effectively when it interferes with your relationship.
As an added bonus, this therapy can improve the child’s behavioral and emotional problems, breakingnegative cyclesthat make parental depression worse.
3. Find joy in small things
Sometimes living with depression means being too overwhelmed to appreciate the moment. Children, however, live in the moment all the time. In addition, they appreciate even the smallest doses of undivided attention. While you get professional help for yourself and your child, look for small joys you can share together. A 10-minute board game, a favorite snack, or a quick walk outside can make a world of difference for you both.
4. Find help for yourself
If you’re struggling with depression, day-to-day living can be overwhelming, especially if you’re also responsible for the welfare of children. Significant depressive symptoms need appropriate treatment.Psychotherapyoffers a wealth of proven benefits; in addition,medication managementcan help some individuals with depression achieve better symptom control.
By seeking help, you’ll find that parenting can become easier with time and healing, and your family — including your child (or children) — will benefit from a healthier, more positive environment.
Tamara StevensTamara L. Stevens, MA, LPA, HSP-PA is a Licensed Psychological Associate with a Master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has served children and adults for over twenty years, specializing in ADHD, autism, learning disorders, and psychological testing. She owns a private psychology practice and enjoys freelance writing about mental health.
Tamara L. Stevens, MA, LPA, HSP-PA is a Licensed Psychological Associate with a Master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has served children and adults for over twenty years, specializing in ADHD, autism, learning disorders, and psychological testing. She owns a private psychology practice and enjoys freelance writing about mental health.
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