5 Signs of Depression in Children

It surely is a sign of sad times that depression affects 1.9 million (3.2%) children and teenagers between the ages of 3 and 17 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020).

In many instances, children with depression also have another coexisting condition, for example, anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

All too often, the signs of depression in children are missed by parents, caregivers, or teachers, as they can be mistaken for normal childhood moods. Depression, however, is pervasive as a mood disorder and is not something that children can “snap out of” through distraction.

Signs of depression in children

Children are also not able to express their feelings easily and would typically find it very difficult to describe the kind of symptoms that depression presents. Here are five signs of depression in children to not ignore.

Loss of interest in activities.

Just as with adults, one of the most common signs of depression in children is a loss of interest in activities that previously brought enjoyment. Children do tend to turn their attention from one hobby to another, and this may not necessarily reflect depression. But if you notice that things that he or she always previously took pleasure in doing (reading, for example, or walking the dog) have fallen away, it could be worth paying closer attention to your child’s emotional state.

Extreme reactions.

Teenagers are renowned for being emotional and moody. However, one of the signs of depression in children to look out for is a constant state of fluctuating emotion over some time. You might notice that a child cries more frequently, seems to explode with anger more often than normal, or sleeps too much to deal with his or her big feelings.

Attention difficulties.

Having a hard time paying attention, often in a classroom setting, or the home environment, can be one of the less noticeable signs of depression in children. This would generally be attributed to tiredness, boredom, or a condition like ADHD, depending on the severity. As in the case of adults, being unable to concentrate on a task goes hand in hand with depression.

Symptoms of anxiety.

If your child is showing symptoms of anxiety, there is a high chance that he or she might be suffering from depression too. Anxiety and depression in children are not always the result of a traumatic event but could be a result of circumstances in their lives that are stressful. They might have a new teacher to whom they do not relate well, for example, or are picking up on the anxiety of a parent who is dealing with a difficult situation.

Comments reflecting self-loathing.

One of the signs of depression in children is an expression of self-loathing, indicating feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem. Your child or teen may say these things lightly, but if they occur regularly, it would be important to flag them as warning signals of depression.

Children don’t have the maturity to say what is troubling them, so it is a parent’s job to carefully look out for signs and then act on them. This might just be initiating a conversation so that channels of communication are opened.

It can be difficult for a parent to accept that a child is depressed. But the sooner a child is diagnosed, the sooner he or she can receive needed help. If you notice any of the above signs of depression in children, a visit to the doctor would be the first port of call to eliminate any of the physical causes of depression. This could be something like anemia, diabetes, or even a deficiency in Vitamin D.

Once these illnesses are ruled out, the child can receive treatment for depression, either through counseling or through a combination of medication and counseling. It’s important that children don’t feel ashamed about their depression.

Instead, they need to be reassured that what they are going through affects many others and will not last forever. Encourage them to get the help they need and match them with a counselor with whom there is good synergy.

For children growing up in a Christian home, seeking the guidance and help of a trained Christian counselor can be of great help. The counselor will be able to talk about the child’s situation from a Christian worldview, which can make all the difference.

A child is never too young to understand that God loves him or her and will help him or her through whatever battles he or she faces, including depression.