Depression
We all have to deal with different kinds of emotions, sometimes we are happy and sometimes we are sad. Depression occurs when sad emotions become overwhelming and never seem to never go away. It can greatly affect how a child or young person is able to participate in life, as well as their relationship with you and others.
A young person who is depressed may have low spirits, feel inadequate, be downcast and stressed. They may feel guilty or responsible, worried or lonely. Children and young people are more dependent or vulnerable. They are more sensitive and because of their relative inexperience, less resilient to what is happening around them.
Some of the things that can deeply affect children and young people include:
- Losing their parents whether because of divorce or separation, or through death
- Losing their pets or favourite toys or possessions
- Not being loved or listened to, feeling left out
- Changing school
- Moving home
- Losing friends
- Their parents arguing
- Their bodies, getting ill or feeling abnormal
- Sex
- Exams, not doing well
- Being abused physically, sexually or emotionally
When should we be worried?
Depression is not always the easiest problem to spot or get a child to admit to. Some children can talk about feeling unhappy, but others are only able to show how they feel through the way they behave.
Depression can show itself in a number of ways, like self harm, substance misuse, eating disorders and even bullying.
Some indicators may be:
- A child finds it hard to concentrate, loses interest in work and play
- They refuse to go to school, or play truant
- They complain of feeling bored or lonely, even when they have friends
- They become irritable, moody and difficult to control
- They lack confidence
- They blame themselves if things go wrong
- They are disruptive at school, steal or do other things that lead to them being punished.
Teenagers
Teenagers are often moody and uncommunicative, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are depressed. It is just part of normal adolescence. However, some teenagers get stuck. They seem to get overwhelmed by despair.
The following are some of the signs to watch out for:
- Being extremely moody and irritable
- Giving up interests, but not finding new ones
- Losing interest or not doing well at school or work
- Finding it hard to concentrate
- Becoming withdrawn and losing touch with friends
- Not looking after themselves
- Not eating enough or eating too much
- Being very self-critical
- Sleeping badly or sleeping too much
Some teenagers may express or escape from these feelings through acting recklessly. They may take drugs, drink too much or get into dangerous situations.
Teenagers who are very depressed can become preoccupied with thoughts of death. They may attempt to kill or harm themselves, for example by taking an overdose or cutting their arms.
It is therefore important to seek help if your child is experiencing depression, or is displaying symptoms of it. You should get in touch with YoungMinds Parents Information Service or other professional services immediately.
Help from YoungMinds
YoungMinds publications that can help with concerns about depression.
Visit the YoungMinds publication page
Parents Information Service
YoungMinds Parents Information Service can offer further advice on depression:
Find out more about the Parents Information Service
Call us on 0800 018 2138
Contact us using our form
