Recognizing Childhood Depression

By Liza Bonin, Ph.D.

Not many years ago, doctors presumed that children and young adolescents did not truly experience depression. Only in the past two decades has the clinical and empirical evidence addressed this false presumption and revealed that children and adolescents do indeed suffer from both depressive symptoms and depressive disorders.

Sadness and irritability are considered normal and adaptive parts of the human condition – particularly in response to loss, disappointment and perceived failure. For mood changes to qualify as depression, they must persist and cause significant distress or interfere with a child’s daily activities.

The following behaviors or symptoms often are signs of depression in children and adolescents:

• Sadness or crying more than usual

• Irritability – being"annoyed" or "bothered," moody, negative and argumentative

• Lack of self-worth – statements made by children that reveal a negative view of themselves, their world and/or their futures. (Example: Perceiving themselves as"stupid" or"unwanted," feeling that they disappoint parents or teachers, believing that everything is"unfair," revealing a gloomy or hopeless outlook.)

• Notable sensitivity to perceived rejection or failure.

• Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed. The child or adolescent experiences events, hobbies, interests and people as less interesting or fun than they used to be.  Such matters are frequently described as"boring,""stupid" or"uninteresting."  Youth may withdraw from or lose interest in friends.

• Being chronically tired, exhausted and lacking motivation.

• Complaining of physical illness such as headaches or stomachaches.

• Notable problems with attention and concentration and/or indecisiveness.

• A decline in school performance.  It takes longer to complete homework and class assignments than before the depressive episode.

• A significant change in appetite/eating and/or sleeping patterns.

• Threats or efforts to run away from home.

• Thoughts or expressions of suicide or other self-destructive behaviors.

Unfortunately, depression in children and adolescents often is under-treated despite its detrimental effects. An estimated 70 to 80 percent of depressed youth do not receive the treatment they need. If you suspect your child may be depressed, seek professional help – not only for your child, but for your family as well.

RELATED READING: Is This Behavior Normal? Mental Illness in Children

Dr. Liza Bonin is a clinical psychologist at Texas Children’s Hospital.