Depression in Kids and Teens

Although depression can affect anybody of any age, it often looks different at different developmental stages. Sometimes, this can be confusing for adults, because signs of depression in children and pre-teens are not as commonly known as signs of depression in adults. 

Typically, depression is categorized as feeling a sense of hopelessness, sadness, and emptiness that affects the day to day (or most days). The difference between kids and young teens and other age groups is that depression is also often paired with irritability.

Here are the signs of depression in kids and pre-teens:

1. A change in behavior

• Getting into more trouble in school

• Talking back more than usual

• Becoming more sensitive to criticism

• Becoming less organized/ drop in grades

• Lowered motivation

• Appetite changes

2. Stomachaches and headaches

• Somatic complaints that weren’t present before

• Could be using excuses to avoid certain situations

• More in touch with their physical feelings than emotions

3. Irritability and moodiness

• Mood change out of the ordinary

• Crankiness could be due to sleeping more or less

• Having meltdowns or outburst

• Irritability in place of sadness/ feeling down

• Causing more arguments

4. Withdrawing socially/ self isolating

• Staying away from friends and going out less

• Deciding socializing isn’t worth it

• Being less motivated to be social

• Too tired to make plans or chat with family

If your child is experiencing some or all of these symptoms, it is possible that they are struggling with depression. It would be a good idea to reach out for some extra support for your kid or pre-teen as well as parent support for the best way you can help. If you would like to schedule with one of our therapists, reach out today for a free, 15-minute phone consultation.