When we think about depression, it’s not usually children that come to mind. But, perhaps we should. It’s perfectly normal for children to feel sad and down at times, but when those feelings start interfering with their daily lives, it might be a sign to look a little deeper. During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, parents are urged to take a closer look at how their children are coping with the stresses of daily life, and start talking to them about how they are feeling.

Can Children Really Get Depressed?

Absolutely! It’s hard growing up, don’t you remember? Trying to figure out how you fit in, worrying about grades, sports and whether people at school like you. Our kids face some intense pressures, in almost every aspect of their lives. As parents, it’s our job to check in with these fears and stresses and make sure our kids know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times, and more importantly, to talk to us when they feel like things are slipping out of their control.

Recognizing Depression in Children and Teens

Depression can be easy to overlook. It might just seem like your child has developed a bad attitude, or maybe it just seems like they have become lazy. But, there may be more to it. If these changes in behavior have lasted longer than two weeks, here are some warning signs that your child might have depression:

●      Irritability or anger

●      Withdrawal from friends and family

●      Changes in appetite

●      Extreme fatigue or low energy

●      Constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness

●      Sudden drop in grades or misbehavior at school

●      Increased sensitivity to rejection

●      Sleeping too much or too little

●      Violence to themselves or others

●      Vocal outbursts and/or crying

●      Difficulty concentrating

What to Do

Depression is more common in children who have parents with mood disorders themselves. If you recognize some of the signs of depression in your child, don’t just wait for it to go away. Talk to your child about how they are feeling. Has something happened to make them feel sad or withdrawn? Are they having trouble at school with their peers, or is something at home bothering them? After talking with your child, if you’ve determined that they might be at risk for depression, schedule a visit with your child’s doctor. The doctor will be able to determine whether or not there is a physical reason for the changes, or if you need to seek advice from a mental health professional.

Don’t ignore signs that your child might be struggling with depression. While treatable, it is a condition that needs to be addressed as soon as you realize it’s happening. If ever you become concerned that your child may want to harm themselves, call the national hotline for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP.

###

Photo by Pablo Varela on Unsplash