Depression in Children and Teens

It is important to recognize that depression can effect our children, especially those with learning disorders or with family histories of mental health disorders. Even among children who do not have these issues, the stress of school, life, and even too much time on screens can cause children to become depressed.

It's important to recognize that depression is not just sadness. When our children are sad, it is usually because of a situation in which they've experienced a loss (a pet, a friend, death in the family, moving, parents' divorce). Sadness in these situations are specific to those losses, last a reasonable period of time, and do not usually lead to other symptoms. Depression is usually more pervasive (sad in general), for a longer than expected period of time with no relief or improvement,

Depressive symptoms in chidren are sometimes manifested differently in children and teens than they are in adults. Here are some things to look for at different ages:

Depression in the Very Young

• Regressing developmentally. For example, he or she may start talking baby talk again
• Low energy
• Loss of appetite, losing weight
• Separation anxiety
• Aggression
• Doesn't like to play; refuses to play with friends
• Sleep disruption; not sleeping at night, napping off schedule