Depression may not look the same in a child as in an adult. If one or more of these signs of depression are present for two weeks or more, parents should seek help:
- Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
- Not as interested in activities or not able to enjoy previously favorite activities
- Hopelessness
- Persistent boredom, low energy
- Social isolation, poor communication
- Low self-esteem and guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
- Increased irritability, anger or hostility
- Difficulty getting along or connecting with others
- Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
- Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
- Poor concentration
- Too much or too little eating and/or sleeping
- Talk of or effort to run away from home
- Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior
The symptoms may be different depending on how old the child is.
Both very young children and grade school children may lack energy and become withdrawn. They may show little emotion, seem to feel hopeless and have trouble sleeping. Often they will lose interest in friends and activities they liked before. They may complain of headaches or stomachaches. A child may be more anxious or clingy with caregivers.
Teens may sleep a lot or move or speak more slowly than usual. Some teens and children with severe depression may see or hear things that aren't there (hallucinate) or have false beliefs (delusions). Children and adolescents who cause trouble at home or at school may also be suffering from depression.
Because the child may not always seem sad, parents and teachers may not realize that troublesome behavior is a sign of depression. When asked directly, these children can sometimes state they are unhappy or sad.
