What Depression May Look Like in Children and Adolescents

As adults, we can usually tell when another adult human being is depressed. As adults, we also can more easily identify when we, ourselves, are depressed. Typically, when adults are depressed, they identify feeling sad, hopeless, and possibly empty. Many depressed adults can become easily angered or irritated. And often, depressed adults lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, including sex.

                Depression in children and adolescents is not always as easy to pick up on for the untrained eye. In fact, while depression may present frequently in children and adolescents, it is not always recognized. This is particularly dangerous because scholastic failure and suicide are far more likely in depressed children and adolescents.  

                What are potential risk factors that can influence depression at a young age? Family history of depression or mental illness, family conflict, poor scholastic performance, confusion regarding gender or sexual orientation, and difficulty establishing healthy relationships with peers should be considered when trying to identify childhood depressive disorders.

                Children may internalize family conflict or difficulty in school which can present as excessive guilt and low self-esteem. Often, internalizations can present as somatic symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches. These internalizations may also influence tantrums, behavioral problems, school phobia, and separation anxiety. Adolescents go through many changes and challenges to establish their own identities. They also struggle to separate themselves from their parents, which can be a very stressful developmental task.

                Childhood depressive disorders can present differently than adult depressive disorders. If the symptoms or behaviors described above are reflective of recent changes you have observed in your child, please do not wait for these changes to progress. The consequences can be significant.

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Hillary R.,

Masters Level Intern, 2023

Sources

Son SE, Kirchner JT. Depression in children and adolescents. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Nov 15;62(10):2297-308, 2311-2. PMID: 11126856.