5 Warning Signs of Depression in Children and Teens

Audio By Carbonatix

1. Irritability and Moodiness

One of the most common signs that your child or teen has depression is if they are irritable or moody. While irritability is not normally spoken of when it comes to depression, it is an incredibly common symptom. If your child or teen has recently been quite irritable or short-tempered, it could be because they are struggling with depression.

Moodiness is also a common symptom of depression for certain children and teens. If you have noticed your child showing irritability or moodiness, it is time to take them to the doctor. There are distinct types of depression; however, you will need a doctor to accurately diagnose your child or teen. After a proper diagnosis, your doctor will be able to provide the best treatment for your child or teen.

2. Intense Sadness, Sorrow, and Crying

Intense sadness, sorrow, and bouts of crying are other signs that your child or adolescent is going through depression. Some kids are more prone to develop depression, such as those who have recently gone through a loss, if a parent has depression, or if they have another co-occurring mental health concern. Any of these factors can significantly increase the risk of your child or teen being diagnosed with depression.

It is true that some children or teens are more sensitive, but sometimes depression is more than just being sensitive. Depression is a complex mood disorder that needs to be treated. Try to look under the surface and don’t take everything at face value. Your child or teen could be trying to hide their depression or fake that they are okay when they really are not.

On the other hand, your child or teen might not be aware of their depression, which is why you need to be knowledgeable about their symptoms. Refrain from dismissing them as just being “emotional” or “difficult.” Look at their symptoms. If there is any chance that they are struggling with depression, reach out to a doctor. With the help of a doctor and a therapist, your child will be able to get the help they need and deserve.

3. Losing Interest in Hobbies, School, or Friendships

A huge warning sign that your child or teen has depression is if they have lost interest in things they once loved. If they are no longer interested in hobbies, school, or friendships, it is a sign they are struggling with depression. Children and adolescents without depression do not lose interest in the things they love.

If you have noticed your child or teen has stopped drawing when it was their favorite activity, it could be a sign of depression. If they have moved on to another hobby, then that is different. However, if they have suddenly given up a hobby they enjoyed and have not switched to a new hobby, it could be because they are suffering from depression.

In the same way, if your teen is no longer interested in meeting up with their friends, there could be a problem. If these friends are normally nice and kind to be around, then there is no reason for your teen not to want to spend time with them. The reason they do not want to meet up with friends could be because they are struggling with depression. For children and teens, it can be hard to articulate what they are feeling. Listen to them if they share their feelings with you, but even if they do not, you need to be proactive and get them the proper treatment.

4. Thoughts of Suicide

It is never pleasant to talk about, yet suicide and depression are intricately linked. If you struggle with depression, it is quite common to also struggle with suicidal ideation. As someone who struggles with depression, I can say this is true. Although I never bluntly said I wanted to end my life, the thoughts were always swimming around in my head as a teen. I thought all the pain could be eradicated if everything just stopped.

As a teen, I could hide these thoughts and feelings behind jokes. While I now recognize this as a coping mechanism, I can see how it acted as an armor to the outside world. If your child or teen is having thoughts of suicide, they might not tell you. Other ways you can tell are if they are giving away their belongings, making self-deprecating jokes, or if they are suddenly carefree.

Giving things away suggests that they believe they will not be around much longer. Self-demeaning jokes are a way to make people think you are doing okay when you are not. They would rather make jokes than feel like a burden by sharing their feelings. If your child or teen is suddenly carefree when they were just severely depressed a few days ago, this means they may be feeling lighter because they have a plan in place to end their life.

Parents, this can be incredibly scary, but you need to stay calm. Reach out to a doctor as soon as possible and ensure that your child or teen is always being monitored. It is also essential to pray over the matter and reach out to God. The Lord tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Related: 

A Prayer for Fighting Suicidal Thoughts

What Parents Should Know about Teen Suicide

5. Changes in Apetite

It is also important to look at your child or teen’s eating habits. Are they eating less or more than usual? Either eating more than usual or less than usual can be a sign of depression. If your teen is having a lack of appetite, you can try to cook a few dishes that have been a favorite of theirs in the past. Even though this will not cure their depression, it might help your child or teen be more prone to eat.

If your child or teen is eating more than usual, do not judge them or make a big deal about it. Try to ask them about their feelings and become a safe place for them. By being a safe place for them, they will be more prone to turn to you with their feelings rather than coping with their feelings through food. Depression can manifest in diverse ways for different people, which is why it is good to be on the lookout for your child or teen's eating habits.

Encourage your children to reach out to God and lean on Him for support. Share with them the truth of 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Help them to know that God is always for them and never against them (Romans 8:31). He is with them and loves them beyond words (Romans 8:37-39).

Your child is still themself despite their struggle with depression. It is good to remember this rather than associating your loved one with depression. They might have a harder time doing certain tasks due to their depression, but they are still a loved and valued individual. By seeking out help for them, you will ensure your child or teen receives the best chance at healing from depression.

At the end of the day, if you are noticing your child or teen is showing any symptoms of depression, you need to take them to their primary care doctor. A few helpful resources also include:

The National Suicide Hotline: 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness

To Write Love on Her Arms

More Resources:

5 Ways to Talk to Your Teen about Depression

How to Deal with Teenage Depression in a Biblical Way