Common Childhood Depression Symptoms

A common question that most parents ask is whether children can also suffer from depression. The simple answer is yes. Depression is not only an adult illness but can also happen in children and teens. This should, however, be separated from the normal “blues” and every day emotions that children get when growing up and developing. What are some of the most common childhood depression symptoms?

When a child looks sad, this does not necessary mean that he or she is significantly depressed. However, if the sadness persists, or it starts bringing out some disruptive behavior that interferes with the normal social activities, then this may indicate depression. The good thing is that depression is treatable. All you need is to identify this illness in time and seek medical attention.

Childhood depression affects about 2.5% of children in the United States of America. From this number, the cases of boys are higher than girls for children under the age of 10 but as age progresses, incidences of depressed girls increases, surpassing greatly that of depressed boys by the age of 16 (see Symptoms of depression in teenagers for more information). So, what are some of the symptoms to check out for in depression in children?

The first signs of depression in children are sadness, mood changes, and hopelessness. Then, there are a number of symptoms that will be noticed. However, it is important to know that although not all children will have all the following symptoms, those with a depressive disorder will invariably show changes in their social activities and lose interest in school and otherwise enjoyable hobbies.

Boy in depression

The symptoms of depression in children include:

• primarily sadness and hopelessness
• mood changes
• anger and irritability
• withdrawal from social, school, and family activities
• changes in eating and sleeping habits
• low energy levels, fatigue, difficulty to concentrate
• pains and physical aches and illnesses
• higher sensitivity to rejection
• feelings of being worthless, guilt
• thoughts of suicide or death, self destructive behavior

A depressed child will exhibit a loss of interest in games, hobbies and other extra-curriculum activities at school. A tendency to not complete school assignments, coupled with signs of social withdrawal and persistent sadness may also be witnessed. These children may also start giving out some of their most valued possessions without any valid reasons to do so.

You may also notice changes in the sleep patterns of the child, either too much sleeping or lack of sleep, as well as eating habit changes. Some children will refuse to eat while others start eating too much. The child may also become easily irritable, with vocal outbursts and acting that results from this bad temper. To add on to this, some children will get inclined to watching horrifying and sorrowful movies, and also reading sad stories’ books.

A child with depression may also start complaining of ailments, aches and pains which do not respond to medicine. They are also prone to increased falls, accidents, with tendencies to commit suicide from the increased suicidal thoughts. They become more sensitive to turned down requests and any rejections, with some significant drops in academic performances.

Child depression symptoms also include excess tiredness or fatigue coming from no apparent reason. This comes together with low energy, making the child sluggish in movement or in accomplishing any assigned duty. The child has feelings of increased worthlessness and feelings of not being valued either at home or at school. These lead to loneliness hence the suicidal thoughts.

A child generally gets impaired thinking and concentration, with very little sense of fun and activity. This leads to reduced ability to function in events both at home and with friends, on school work, and in their hobbies, passions and interests. The end result is social withdrawal.

Some children, especially those over the age of 12, may start indulging in to drug abuse and alcohol use and abuse. If a family has a history of depression, the children are also more likely to get depressed. Similarly so, in families where there is a lot of physical abuse and violence, or sexual abuse, the children also tend to be at a higher risk of going down with depression. They also tend to be more prone to attempting suicide.

It is good to note that not all children will exhibit all these childhood depression symptoms, and there are also different types of depression that trigger different signs and symptoms. Some will show just a few of these symptoms, while others show more or other different ones from the same list. Depending on the cause of depression, the settings the child is in, and the kind of attention the child gets, the signs may greatly vary. Close scrutiny in school and at home can help identify even the slightest of these symptoms, and early enough for the relevant medical attention.

It is also important for parents to gather information from teachers, school mates, friends and other relatives when such symptoms are suspected. Similarly so, any red flags raised by the same parties should be taken with the seriousness they deserve. A parent should not assume that only children from other homes can get into depression.

Depression is a real illness that requires professional help. Treatment may include individual and family therapy, a depression treatment program, as well as anti-depressants. It is therefore important to seek this medical care as soon as childhood depression symptoms are detected or suspected.