Learning to Recognize the Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is a serious condition that can affect children and teens just as deeply as adults. Do you know how to recognize the signs? Find out here.

Parents spend large portions of their lives helping patch their children back together. It’s mom or dad’s job to stick a bandage on that scraped knee, to take them to the doctor for stitches after a basketball mishap, to read them stories and bring them soup when they have a cold.

But what do you do when your child’s ailment isn’t a strictly physical one? What happens when your child is clearly suffering, but there’s no quick-fix way to make them better.

Clinical depression affects an estimated 121 million worldwide, according to a 2012 survey by the CDC. Although the highest suffering group is in their forties and fifties, many children and adolescents are afflicted. In fact, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) estimates that as many as one in 20 minors may suffer from some level of depression. Teenagers are especially vulnerable, often as a result of changing hormones or social and academic pressures. If not dealt with, clinical depression can be crippling and have a devastating, long-lasting impact on the lives of those who suffer from it.

According to the CDC, as many as 80 percent of individuals suffering from some degree of depression do not receive treatment. Part of this is because we live in a world where seeking help for emotional problems can be perceived as weak or dependent. Many children or teenagers coping with depression feel too ashamed to approach someone else for help.

In addition, many people tend to dismiss children’s and adolescents’ emotions as being somehow less deeply rooted than an adult’s. Far too often, a consistently sad child is seen as being “difficult” and a moody teenager is perceived as “going through a phase.”

Everyone has bad days; kids are no exception. However, when you notice that those bad days seem to be stretching into weeks or months, it may be time to take action.

Childhood depression can claim and ruin lives. It is important to remember that no matter what your child’s age, their feelings are real, valid and worthy of attention.

If your teenager is exhibiting the following signs, it’s time to take note and pay attention:

• Unexplained exhaustion or listlessness
• Change in sleeping patterns or sleeping too much or too little
• Unexplained changes in appetite
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Declining performance in school
• Restlessness or an inability to remain still
• Risky, dangerous behavior
• Loss of interest in favorite activities or hobbies
• Sudden change in friend groups or lack of interest in socializing
• Neglected personal appearance or lack of interest in personal grooming
• Abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs

Although depression can also manifest in younger children, the signs can sometimes be harder to detect. Again, if your child no longer shows interest in things that they used to love, if they are crying often or they seem apathetic, don’t ignore this.
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