How To Spot Depression In Children
Depression isn’t only a problem for adults. Since kids have a hard time understanding and describing their feelings, it can be harder to spot depression in children. It’s important for parents to know the unique symptoms their child may present with. Intervention is key to helping a child with depression, and with proper therapeutic care, they can go on to live a more fulfilling childhood.
How common is childhood depression?
Until the ’70s, psychologists didn’t think children could even be depressed. The prevailing thought was that their psyches simply weren’t developed enough. But strides have been made in understanding mental health struggles in children. We now know that 2-3 percent of children aged 6 to 12 can have depression, and those with anxiety disorders are at a higher risk. These numbers increase as a child goes through puberty.
While suicidal ideation is relatively rare in children, it does still happen. Parents sometimes worry that asking their child whether they’re having suicidal thoughts will plant the idea in their head. But that’s simply not the case—getting your child to open up
and consider whether these feelings they’re struggling with are affecting them deeply is an important step in helping them heal. Suicidal thoughts in children should be taken very seriously.
Signs and symptoms
Depression can look very different in adults and children. Common symptoms of depression in adults are:
feelings of sadness
feelings of impending doom and hopelessness
loss of interest in activities
changes in sleep, typically hypersomnia
increased drug or alcohol use
changes in eating habits
anger and irritability
lowered self-esteem
While children may exhibit some of these symptoms, childhood depression can have less of the telltale sadness and persistent tearfulness. Instead, kids tend to act out, show changes in behavior, and present with somatic issues. Take notice if your child has any of these three main symptoms.
Irritability
More than sadness, your child may present as irritable or easily annoyed. They may feel cranky, since they have a harder time connecting their frustrations to sadness. This can manifest as tantrums, getting frustrated easily with schoolwork or other obligations, or being unable to handle constructive criticism. Look out for changes in their fuse—are they quicker to anger than they used to be? They may also engage in negative self-talk: “I always ruin everything” or “I’m the worst kid around.”
Behavioral changes
This increased irritability can lead to destructive behavioral changes. Watch out for whether they start arguing with peers or family members more often. They’ll also take less interest in the things they used to find fun. They may seem more “flattened” than usual—the playful back-and-forth with family and friends won’t make them laugh like it used to.
Physical ailments
You may also notice your child complaining of more aches and pains than usual. Usually these will be stomachaches and headaches, but they may also have persistent colds or other sicknesses that won’t go away. Kids tend to have changes in their sleeping patters, either sleeping more than normal or suffering from insomnia. Watch out for changes in eating habits as well. Do they never seem to be hungry for their favorite food? Or have they been eating way more than usual?
Where to find help
Depression in children should be taken seriously. It’s proven to be highly treatable with the proper interventions. If you suspect your kid may be showing signs of depression, talk to your pediatrician or primary care provider. They often have contacts for mental health services or might even offer them in-house. Therapeutic treatments will typically involve both you and your child so that you can learn ways to support and empower them.
To learn more about how to recognize and treat depression, please reach out to us for depression treatment.
