Being a parent is a journey full of love but also full of difficulties. When you have to take care of and raise your child while you are suffering from depression, things can get much worse. Depression not only affects parents' mood and mental health, but also has a strong impact on how they connect, love and accompany their children, which is extremely important in raising children, according to Marriage.
Loss of emotional connection with children
Depression often makes patients feel emotionally paralyzed, no longer feeling joy, happiness or even sadness clearly. At that time, parents may become distant, have difficulty expressing their feelings, or no longer respond flexibly to their children's emotions.
Lack of energy and motivation to participate in children's lives
Depression causes the body and mind to stagnate. Seemingly simple activities such as playing with children, preparing meals or taking their children to school can become a burden. Prolonged fatigue causes parents to gradually withdraw from important moments in their children's lives.
Getting angry easily, losing patience and reacting negatively
Depression reduces the ability to control emotions, making small things also feel frustrated and disappointed. As a result, reactions such as being hot-tempered, scolding, or over handling situations can occur more often.
Unintentionally becoming a negative example for children
Children learn not only from words but also from the way their parents behave every day. When parents are often negative, depressed, avoiding emotions or giving up easily, children can consider it normal and carry these habits with them in life later.
Communication is limited and easily misunderstood
Depression affects your ability to speak and listen. Parents may feel unable to converse or gradually lose the ability to connect through language. This makes communication between parents and children tense, vague or ineffective.
