What are the signs of depression in teens and children?
Many people wonder if kids and teens can really get depressed. In the case of teens, adults may attribute symptoms of depression to normal teenager emotional swings. But experts and pediatricians point out that children and teens really can get depressed, and could be afflicted with the true illness of depression.
What Causes Teens to Get Depression?
As in adults, depression may have multiple causes or one cause that varies among individuals. There are some factors that are unique to certain stages of life, however.
Children and Depression
Children may become depressed because of genetics (like adults). They may have inherited a tendency toward depression, and perhaps there was a trigger that caused it to surface. Children may become depressed due to divorce, as they are uniquely affected by their immediate family’s dynamic. Bullying at school is also something children may have to face that is not a factor for adults.
A child with a tendency toward perfectionism may be more prone to depression as well, sources say. Children with this tendency may “beat themselves up” unnecessarily over failures or perceived failures.
Teens and Depression
This age group is considered particularly prone to depression. This may be due in part to the hormonal upheavals that occur during the teen years. But be careful – it’s easy for adults to take this information and think “it’s just hormones” and therefore think the depression does not need to be addressed. Experts agree that depression, regardless of its cause, is something that should be addressed and treated.
Teens may also be dealing with bullying at school, or even just “harmless” teasing. They may be experiencing their first crush or rejection from the opposite sex. Other causes may be purely physiological; maybe nothing is particularly wrong in the teen’s life, but his or her brain just seems to run in a depressed mode.
What Are the Signs of Depression in Kids?
Parents should be vigilant for any talk about suicide or morbid fascination with death. Other sources point out that television and movies should be carefully monitored, both for the potentially depressing subject matter and for the psychological effects of TV viewing in general (studies show that children who watch six or more hours of TV a day are more prone to depression).
Signs of depression in kids.
Signs of Depression in Teens
Some of the signs of depression in teens are like those in children; some are different. As with children, parents of teens should be keenly aware of any indications of suicidal thoughts. Music, movies, and television are also sources of potentially depressing images and subject matter.
Signs of depression in teens.
Be vigilant in looking for any of these activities in your children. Talk to the child and try to discover the real meaning behind the behavior. Be patient and caring and you will help your child to deal with any problems. Knowing the signs of depression in teens and children will help you get the necessary medical help they need.
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