How to identify depression in children
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children with depression and anxiety has increased over time, and 3.2% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have a current diagnosis of depression.
Types of depression and mood disorders in children
Children may experience different types of depression and mood disorders. A licensed mental health professional can provide a diagnosis based on your child’s symptoms and recommend the best treatment.
The most common types of depression and mood disorders in children include:
What are risk factors for childhood depression?
It’s important for parents and caregivers to understand the risk factors for depression in children, which can include anxiety, family history of mental disorders, hormonal changes in puberty and life stressors.
“Chronic anxiety is one of the most common risk factors we see for depression in children,” explains Alice Ann Holland, Ph.D., ABPP, Research Director of the Neuropsychology Service at Children’s Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern. “This is anxiety that hasn’t been properly diagnosed or treated for anywhere from months to years, which wears children down emotionally over time.”
Risk factors for childhood depression can include life stressors such as:
In addition to the above life stressors, adolescents and teens may also deal with the following situations that can trigger depression:
Is my child depressed?
Symptoms of depression can vary in children and are different from a temporary change in mood or sadness. If your child displays signs of depression lasting more than two weeks, or if symptoms seem to occur around the same time as certain stressors (such as tests) or at certain times of the week (such as Sunday evenings before the school week starts), anxiety or depression may be the cause.
Signs of depression in children
Signs of depression in children age 12 and younger may include the following:
Signs of depression in teens
Signs of depression in adolescents age 13 to 18 may include all of the above, plus:
Dr. Holland notes that two signs of depression are commonly missed in children. One of those signs is increased irritability. “People often associate depression with sadness, but children and adolescents may simply demonstrate increased irritability rather than overt signs of sadness like crying,” she says. It’s normal for children to be irritable at times – such as when they’re overtired, stressed or not feeling well. But if your child has been unusually short-tempered or moody for weeks to months, this could be a sign of depression.
The other commonly missed sign of depression in children is somatic symptoms, meaning any health issues, such headaches or stomach aches, that do not have a physical cause. Again, it’s normal for children to not feel well occasionally. However, “If the school nurse says your child is getting a stomachache every day during math class, that could be a red flag,” says Dr. Holland.
How can I help my child with depression?
Medication can have an important role in the treatment of depression in children and teenagers, and it is especially indicated for cases of severe depression. “If a child is too depressed to engage in therapy, medication can kick-start engagement and get them to better engage with therapy and benefit from it,” says Dr. Holland. However, parents may find it reassuring to know that medication is not always necessary when treating depression in children.
Studies have shown that in the majority of cases, therapy is as effective or more effective than medication alone when it comes to treating depression in children and adolescents. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is one common type of therapy that research has shown to be effective for childhood depression treatment. For very young children or those with limited language skills, research indicates that play therapy is the preferred approach.
If you’re concerned that your child may be experiencing symptoms of depression, consider the following steps to help:
To know when to seek counseling for your child, parents should look for noticeable changes in behavior, such as decreased interest in fun activities, social isolation or statements such as “I don’t want to be alive anymore.” A mental health professional can help your child process these feelings and provide an appropriate diagnosis.
If you are unsure if your child needs counseling for depression, speak to a physician about your child’s symptoms. Teenagers in particular are at high risk for acting impulsively on feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts, so parents should seek professional help before those thoughts and feelings escalate.
Dr. Holland notes that teenagers may be resistant to counseling and therapy and recommends involving them in the process. Get their buy-in by asking them if they have a preference on a provider (e.g., male or female, young or old) and listen to their feedback. Encourage your child to be patient at the beginning of counseling, as it can take a few sessions to develop a therapeutic relationship. However, if after a few sessions it becomes clear that your child is not comfortable with that provider, you can look for a new therapist. Ask your child what he or she did and didn’t like about that therapist, as this can guide your search for a new one.
Who can treat depression in children?
Different types of mental health professionals can help your child with symptoms of depression. Masters-level professionals licensed in the state of Texas include marriage and family therapists (LMFT), professional counselors (LPC) and social workers (LCSW). Doctoral-level mental health professionals include psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.). These abbreviations after a provider’s name will tell you what level of training they have.
Psychiatrists typically provide medication management rather than weekly therapy, although some offer both. It is important to know that research shows that medication alone is less effective than a combination of medication plus therapy. However, mild cases of depression may not require medication at all, only therapy/counseling. A licensed mental health provider can help determine the best treatment for your child.
Your child’s safety is your number one priority
If your child or teen is engaging in behaviors that cause you concern for their immediate safety – such as discussing plans for suicide or other forms of self-harm – immediately take them to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Your child’s safety is the top priority. “Better safe than sorry” should be your guiding philosophy in such situations.
Learn more about depression in children
Children’s Health offers one of the most comprehensive specialty programs available for children and teens who need mental health services, staffed by experts with access to the latest research and treatments for depression and other mood disorders.
You can also access emotional care and support from the comfort of your home with Virtual Visit Behavioral Health. With a behavioral health care appointment, you can speak to a board-certified psychiatrist or licensed therapist using video technology. Learn more about Virtual Visit Behavioral Health.