Depression in children
All children "feel blue", from time to time, have a bad day, or are sad. However, when these feelings persist and begin to interfere with a child's ability to function in daily life, depression could be the cause.
Depression is less common in children under 12 years old, but increases after that, affecting 1 in every 20 teenagers.
Depression can lead to academic underachievement, social isolation and create difficult relationships with family & friends.
Depression in children is also associated with an increased risk of suicide.
Symptoms of depression in Children
The symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are similar to adults.
- However, sometimes the signs of depression in children and adolescents can be different and may include the following
- Finding it hard to concentrate, losing interest in school work and play
- Refusing to go to school, or playing truant
- Constantly complaining of feeling bored or lonely, even when they have friends
- Irritability and moodiness beyond the normal range
- Tearfulness
- Defiance or violent outbursts
- Lack of confidence and blaming themselves if things go wrong
- Disruptive behaviour at school, bullying, stealing or doing other things that lead to them being punished
- Becoming very withdrawn
- Self-injury or drinking or taking drugs to excess
- Sleeping very little or too much
- Younger children may appear to take backwards steps in their development, for example with toilet training or eating.
Many teens with depression abuse alcohol and drugs as a way to numb or manage their pain (self-medicating). If a child or adolescent is abusing substances it would be a good idea to have them evaluated for depression.
For more information about the symptoms of depression in general please see our Depression factsheet (520 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.rethink.org/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
In general, medication should only be considered as a first-line course of treatment for children and adolescents who have severe symptoms that would prevent effective psychotherapy; those who are unable to undergo psychotherapy, those with psychosis, and those with chronic or recurrent episodes.
