Associated Between Brain Differences in Children with Depressed Parents

Associated Between Brain Differences in Children with Depressed Parents

Parental depression is one of the most insidious problems that are affecting society today.  There are a high number of people who live in the United States with depressed parents. The population is estimated at about 15 million people (Tumolo). The statistics imply that there is one in five children who are brought up by severely depressed parents. Recent studies have unraveled that one of the major factors that are contributing to childhood problems is the rising number of parents with depression. The study unraveled that there were brain differences that were detected in children with depressed parents. The study claims that children who have a depressed parent, are at higher risk of becoming depressed.

The study was conducted by David Pagliaccio Ph.D., who is an assistant professor at the Columbia University at the Psychiatry department on clinical neurobiology. The study was also backed by Randy Auerbach, Ph.D., who is an associate professor of medical psychology at the Columbia University of the Physicians and Surgeons College of Vagelos (Tumolo). Both professors worked in the same university and coordinated efforts to come up with detailed research on the subject. Their coordinated research and efforts unraveled fundamental facts, which are critical in this study. Of particular interest, for instance, was the correlation between parental depression and the structural differences in children’s brains. The research was conducted at the journal on the academy on the psychiatry of children and adolescents.

The researchers analyzed the brain images of some 7000 children who participated in a study referred to as the Adolescent brain cognitive development (National Academic Press). The study was led by the National Institute of Health. It involved assessing a group of children who were at an increased risk as a result of the fact that they had parents with depression and those whose parents were not depressed. The experimental groups are mainly the children who have parents who are depressed, while the control group was the children whose parents are not depressed.  The study found out that the risk of a third of these children was at an increased risk of depression as a result of the depression. Amongst the children with the increased risk, the right putamen, which is a brain structure that is linked with motivation, pleasure, and reward, was found to be smaller compared to those children who did not have a history of depression (National Academic Press). The findings from the study point out that there is an increased risk, which can lead to the development of depressive disorders at the onset stage. The study further revealed that the development of the smaller putamen could also lead to another condition referred to as anhedonia. Anhedonia is a condition, which leads to a reduction in pleasure. The reduction in pleasure is mainly associated with an increased risk for psychosis, suicidal behaviors, depression, and substance abuse. The reduction in the volume of the putamen increases the risk of mental conditions (Health24).

The researchers underscored the need for medical practitioners to understand the differences in the children’s brains and particularly on the increased risk for depression. The above factors can go a long way in averting some of the risks that can lead to depression. In addition, it can also lead to early identification of the condition and thereby making it easy to treat the condition. The researchers proposed a ten year period for analysis, as the period through which these risks can be unearthed (Columbia University Irving Medical Center).

Parental depression affects a child by inflicting a bad perception of the world to the child. In so doing, the external and internal perception of a child is affected. The effect has an impact on their behaviors, personality, and thinking. The depression is particularly passed to the child through negative thoughts and a low response to emotions, which can affect the life of a child in various ways (PanARMENIAN).

Some of the symptoms of parental depression include the children’s disinterest in school. Children may, for instance, arrive late at school or miss school consistently. The other symptom is the existence of bad parenting behaviors. Some of these behaviors can include disengagement and neglect. Depressed parents can also show tendencies of inappropriate response to cues, eye contact, and gestures (Health24).

Doctors diagnose depression by assessing factors such as lethargy, weight loss, or unprecedented gains.  It is mainly treated through the use of psychotherapy. The most common form of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapy is particularly effective since it focuses on promoting good behaviors and thoughts while at the same time creating essential skills to both the parents and the children (Yale Medicine).

In conclusion, it is evident from this study that parental depression has a negative effect on the growth and development of a child. The study was conducted by renowned professors from Columbia University, who uncovered the correlation between the two. The diagnosis for this effect is mainly made by assessing how children respond to emotions, how they behave, and their personality. The effects of this parental depression can be treated through cognitive behavioral therapy.