What does Depression look like in kids?
It is often undiagnosed and untreated because they are passed off as normal emotional and psychological changes that occur during growth. Early medical studies focused on masked depressive symptoms, where a child's depressed mood was evidenced by acting out or angry behavior. While this does occur, particularly in younger children, many children display sadness or low mood similar to adults who are depressed.
Childhood/Teen Depression symptoms:
It is often undiagnosed and untreated because they are passed off as normal emotional and psychological changes that occur during growth. Early medical studies focused on masked depressive symptoms, where a child's depressed mood was evidenced by acting out or angry behavior. While this does occur, particularly in younger children, many children display sadness or low mood similar to adults who are depressed.
Childhood/Teen Depression symptoms:
- Difficulties sleeping, which is sometimes indicated by difficulties getting up in the morning
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulties making or keeping friends
- Eating too much or too little
- Difficulties concentrating
- Acting out or behavioral problems
- Irritability or inappropriate anger
- Suicidal thoughts or gestures