Many parents believe they would quickly recognize depression in their child, often expecting sadness to be the most obvious sign. However, according to Dr. Carolyn Spiro, a clinical psychologist specializing in parenting and child mental health, depression can appear differently in children and teens compared to adults.
How Depression Manifests in Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 21 percent of children aged 3 to 17 were diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral condition in 2021. Spiro explains that irritability, rather than sadness, can be a key indicator of depression in young people.
She notes that noticeable changes in mood or behavior can be significant. Parents should be attentive if an easy-going child becomes crankier, more oppositional, or tearful. Reactions out of proportion to the situation may also signal depression.
Signs Parents Should Look Out For
Spiro identifies several signs that may indicate a child is experiencing depression:
- Withdrawal from friends or increasing isolation
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Slower movements or speech
- Lack of energy or feeling very tired
- Poor sleep patterns or excessive sleeping
- Changes in eating habits
- Trouble focusing
- Decrease in motivation at school
- Decline in school performance
- Turning to alcohol or drugs in older children and teens
When Parents Should Seek Help
Spiro emphasizes that all children experience bad moods occasionally. The crucial difference lies in symptom persistence. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks for a depression diagnosis, but parents shouldn’t wait if they have concerns.
Parents should seek help if symptoms cause distress, interfere with schooling, friendships, or daily functioning, or if a child feels hopeless or considers self-harm. Early intervention can significantly influence treatment outcomes.
For further information, reach out to Newsweek editors Charlotte Nisbet and Emma Lee-Sang.
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