Common Signs of Depression in Youth

  • Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
  • Crying
  • Loss of enjoyment in activities that previous brought them joy
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Lack of energy
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Feeling worthless
  • Frequent comments like
    • “I am a failure”
    • “I am stupid”
    • “Why would anyone like me”
    • “I wish I could disappear”
    • “I wish I were dead”
    • “I wish I were never born”
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Persistent feelings of guilt when they are not really at fault
  • Talking or being fascinated with death
  • Difficulty with common tasks such as chores
  • Isolation and withdrawing from family and friends
  • Anger and/or  aggression
  • Irritability
  • Frequently calling out sick for school or work
  • Avoiding comments about the future
  • Declining grades
  • Not engaging in schol
  • Alcohol or drugs

*Please note these are just some of the signs and symptoms of depression and that just because your child is showing some of the symptoms, doesn’t necessarily mean they are struggling with depression. Every child is different. If you have any concerns at all, contact your child’s doctor. 

 

 

Risk Factors for Youth Depression

Risk Factors are soemthing that can increase the chances of depression. Some common risk factors are:

  • A family history of depression
  • Being a more sensitive emotional, or anxious person
  • Parental seperation or divorce
  • Trauma
  • Learning disabilities
  • lack of close friendships
  • Illness
  • Having another mental illness suc as anxiety
  • Changes in hormones
  • Family poverty and social disadvantage
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • Substance use
  • Improper diet
  • Lack of nutrients

*Please note that these are just some of the risk factors for depression, and that just because your child has experienced some of the risk factors does not mean that your child will develop depression. If you have any concerns always check with your child’s doctor. 

Things You Can Do To Help Your Child With Depression

  1. Know the signs
  2. Seek professional help
    1. Contact your family doctor or pediatrician and make an appointment. Let them know you suspect depression and that your child needs to be screened for depression. 
    2. Make sure they are seeing a mental health professional as well as their family doctor. Communication between you, your child’s medical team, and communication with your child is important. You may not discuss everything with your child, but providing them with some knowledge of their condition can help them process their illness and may provide them with a sense of control. Gain advice from their mental health provider on how best to approach your child and for tips on what to say. 
  3. Provide emotional support
    1. Listen without judgment
    2. When they are speaking don’t interrupt, it may be difficult for them to communicate how they are feeling
    3. Don’t be critical or express frustration
    4. Avoid unhelpful advice like “suck it up”, or “pull yourself up by the bootstraps”, or “just think happy thoughts”
    5. Listen not only to what they say but how they say it. This may provide additional clues to how they are feeling
    6. Be encouraging
    7. Spend quality time 
    8. Acknowledge their struggle
    9. Remember, they are dealing with an illness
    10. Know that many adolescents with mental illness grow up to live happy, full lives
    11. Encourage a healthy lifestyle
      1. Exercise regularly. This can be something you do together or with the entire family
      2. Eat a healthy diet. Many studies have shown that eating healthy and eliminating artificial dyes and flavors from their diet can be helpful for those struggling with mental illness. 
      3. Sleep regularly. We know this can be challenging in teens, but if you can, help your child stick to a consistent bedtime. 
  4. Encourage connectedness
      1. Organize gatherings with the family
      2. Encourage sleepovers at your house
      3. Discuss joining a school club
      4. Plan a teen appropriate party for your teen at your house (with adult supervision)
      5. Enroll them in a sport or activity of their choice (this can be in school or out of school)