Some symptoms of depression may appear differently in kids than adults, which is why knowing the signs of childhood depression is crucial, says Mayra Sernas, PhD, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Los Angeles Therapy Institute.
One reason it can be difficult to recognize depression in children is that they may explain or express their depression differently than adults do, especially if they’re young and still learning how to express their emotions. A “tantrum,” for example, may not just be a kid being mad at the moment, but a sign that they are emotionally struggling, says Dr. Sernas.
“When a child struggles with depressive symptoms but does not show behaviors that are typically associated and recognized as signaling depression, the negative behaviors may be misinterpreted, and the signs of depression missed,” says Sernas.
It’s normal for kids to experience emotional ups and downs, but feeling down for at least two weeks could mean that a child has depression, especially if what they’re experiencing interferes with their usual routines, activities, and interests.
Missed signs of childhood depression can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. “Without early intervention, depressive symptoms can worsen and lead to many emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges in a kid’s life,” Dr. Lira de la Rosa says, “This may mean that by the time a child receives mental health treatment, their depression may have worsened and may take longer to treat.”
Here are seven signs that your child may be experiencing depression.
1. They Seem Angrier or More Irritable Than Usual
For some kids, depression may show up in the form of angry outbursts at the dinner table or in class, for instance. This sign of depression in children is sometimes mistaken for troublemaking.
“Some of the common signs may include anger and irritability, more so than feelings of sadness that may be more common in adults who have depression,” says Lira de la Rosa. “They may also begin to act out or misbehave at home and at school or experience significant fluctuations in their mood.”
2. They’ve Withdrawn From Friends and Their Favorite Activities
Similar to adults, kids who have depression may also have behavioral changes such as withdrawal from friends or social activities that they normally love, Sernas says. This is often due to anhedonia, a common sign of depression involving loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy.
3. You’ve Noticed Changes in Their Appetite
“Typically, I would recommend keeping an eye out for changes in a child’s appetite,” Lira de la Rosa says. Consistently eating more or less than they usually do, and the resulting weight loss or gain, are both potential signs of depression in children.
4. Their Sleeping Patterns Have Changed
Sleeping more than usual or having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep can signal depression in a child, says Lira de la Rosa.
Not only are sleep issues a potential sign of depression in kids — they’re also a risk factor for developing depression in the first place, according to one research review and meta-analysis of 16 studies that included over 27,000 participants.
5. Their Academic Performance Has Slipped
A decline in grades at school can be a sign of depression, especially among middle school and high school students, says Sernas. Survey data from the nonprofit YouthTruth showed that among more than 161,000 students in grades 6 through 12 across the country, depression, stress, and anxiety were considered obstacles to learning at every grade level.
6. They Have Unexplained Aches and Pains
7. They Talk About Death or Dying
- Self-harm and increased risky or self-destructive behaviors
- Social withdrawal
- Feelings of hopelessness or like they’re a burden to others
- Expressing emotional pain that is unbearable
- Gathering items that can help them make a suicide attempt, such as medications, sharp objects, or firearms
- Researching ways to kill themselves online
- Giving away their possessions without a logical reason for doing so
- Saying goodbye to people
- Suddenly becoming cheerful after a period of depression
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