How Can I Tell if My Child Is Depressed?

The symptoms of depression in children vary. The condition is often undiagnosed and untreated because symptoms are passed off as normal emotional and psychological changes. Early medical studies focused on "masked" depression, where a child's depressed mood was evidenced by acting out or angry behavior. While this does happen, particularly in younger children, many children display sadness or low mood similar to adults who are depressed. The primary symptoms of depression revolve around sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes. If we try to categorize the changes in the depressed children, we can outline the following meaningful categories (note that some changes are more appropriate for teens than for younger kids):

Behavioral Changes

Children with depression may exhibit changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, avoiding friends and family, and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may also experience changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and energy levels.

Other signs and symptoms of depression in children include:

· Social withdrawal, including attempts of isolation from family

· Trouble during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, during extracurricular activities, and with other hobbies or interests

· Loss of interest and pleasure in activities they previously enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, or spending time with friends. They may also have a general lack of enthusiasm or motivation.

· Being more sensitive to rejection

· Increased acting-out of undesirable behaviors (sexual or behavioral)

· Increased risk-taking behaviors

· Frequent accidents

· Substance abuse

· Talking about or attempting to run away from home

· Poor academic performance: Depression can negatively impact a child's concentration, memory, and ability to focus. This may result in a decline in school performance, difficulty completing assignments, or a lack of interest in school-related activities.

Physical Changes

Physical symptoms, such as unexplained pains, are common in children with depression. They may also experience a loss of weight or gain and have difficulty with coordination.

Other signs and symptoms of depression in children include:

· Changes in appetite, either increased or decreased

· Changes in sleep (sleeplessness or excessive sleep)

· Fatigue and low energy

· Physical complaints (such as stomachaches and headaches) that don't respond to treatment

· Trouble concentrating

Emotional Changes

Children with depression may express feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. They may be excessively self-critical and have low self-esteem. They may also have difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

Other signs and symptoms of depression in children include:

· Crankiness or anger

· Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness

· Feelings of helplessness, irritability, self-criticism

· Vocal outbursts or crying

· Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

· Focus on morbid and negative themes

· Thoughts of death or suicide, or talking about death and dying, sudden cases of giving away possessions

· Increased crying or reduced emotional expression

Not all children have all of these symptoms. In fact, most will show different symptoms at different times and in different settings. Although some children may continue to do reasonably well in structured environments, most kids with significant depression will have a noticeable change in social activities, loss of interest in school, poor academic performance, or a change in appearance. Children may also begin using drugs or alcohol, especially if they are over age 12.

Although relatively rare in youths under 12, young children do attempt suicide -- and may do so impulsively when they are upset or angry. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys are more likely to actually kill themselves when they make an attempt. Children with a family history of violence, alcohol abuse, or physical or sexual abuse are at greater risk for suicide, as are those with depressive symptoms.