5 Warning Signs of Childhood Depression
Does your child seem persistently hopeless or helpless? Do they lack motivation or interest in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed? Are they isolating from peers, more tired than usual, or experiencing changes in their sleeping or eating patterns?
Every parent knows that children’s moods can shift quickly, especially in the tumultuous adolescent and teen years. But sometimes their behavior signals more than simple mood swings. It may be pointing to a deeper mental health concern such as depression.
It’s not uncommon for depression to be misdiagnosed as a different mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder, or for other conditions, such as ADD/ADHD.
THE RISE OF CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION
According to a 2019 study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, among children 3-17 years old, 7.1% had current anxiety problems, 7.4% had a current behavioral/conduct problem, and 3.2% had current depression. Youngsters diagnosed with clinical depression were the most likely to have received treatment in the previous year (almost 80%). However, the pandemic elevated mental health concerns, including major depressive disorder, among our vulnerable youth. A 2020 study noted a significant increase in depression symptoms among children during the period of pandemic-related lockdowns, for example. Another study in JAMA Network Open cited stats that, by 2021, 41% of U.S. adolescents reported persistently feeling sad or hopeless and demonstrated higher rates of stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, rates of suicidal ideation in adolescents increased from 17% in 2017 to 37% during the pandemic. Teen girls in particular are suffering from record levels of sadness and suicidality, according to research from 2021. Factors like trauma, puberty-related hormonal changes, social media, substance abuse, and lack of social connectedness—any of which can also affect boys—can contribute to these effects.5 CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS
Do you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health? Keep an eye out for these 5 warning signs of depression:-
Mood and attention changes
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Loss of interest and/or motivation
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Self-destructive behaviors
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Physical symptoms
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Negative thinking patterns
DIAGNOSING CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION
In both children and adults, many factors can contribute to depression. Stressful societal changes such as the pandemic are widespread issues that affect everyone to varying degrees. But there are also numerous biological factors, from head injuries to toxin exposure, that can trigger signs of depression. Other youngsters may have a genetic predisposition, with depression present in their family. However, it’s important to note that depression is not a diagnosis, but a symptom. Finding the root cause(s) why they feel depressed is the first step toward healing. This is especially important for young people, as an incorrect diagnosis can set them up for years—or a lifetime—of ineffective treatment. It’s not uncommon for depression to be misdiagnosed as a different mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder, or for other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also called attention-deficit disorder (ADD). The dangers of not treating or improperly treating depression include:- Poor school or work performance
- Compromised interpersonal relationships
- Substance abuse
- Increased risk for heart disease
- Suicide
- Cyclic: Associated with extreme mood swings that occur in a cyclical pattern
- Over-focused: Tendency to worry excessively and get stuck on negative thoughts, actions, or behaviors
- Unfocused: Trouble paying attention, easily distracted, tired or sluggish, and procrastination
- Temporal lobe: Associated with extreme irritability, confusion, memory problems, and dark thoughts
- Mixed anxiety and depression: Among Amen Clinics patients, anxiety and depression co-occur 75% of the time.




