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:
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
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
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
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.