8 Kids have a lot on their minds. It’s normal for them to feel troubled, sad, and negative at times. However, if these feelings persist longer than usual or seem especially intense for your child, you may wonder if they are experiencing depression. Does your child have depression? What parents can do Talk to your child. Ask them what they are feeling. Help create trust by listening more than you talk and avoiding judgment. Be patient if your child isn’t ready to open up yet. Get help from your child’s provider. It’s important for your child to be assessed for depression. The provider can guide you toward an effective course of treatment. Treatment can include therapy, medication, or both. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a warning about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in kids who are treated with antidepressants. Talk to your child’s provider about this risk. If you suspect that your teen is at risk for suicide, dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text TALK to 741741, or visit www.988lifeline.org. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration What is depression? Depression is a common disorder. In fact, one in five teens has depression at some point. It’s less common in younger children, but it’s still a serious condition at any age. Symptoms of depression in children and teens include: • Feeling sad and irritable most of the time • Losing interest in activities • Eating or sleeping a lot more, or a lot less, than usual • Having trouble concentrating • Being more withdrawn and quieter than usual • Lacking motivation for homework, chores, or other tasks • Feeling hopeless or worthless • Crying frequently • Using drugs or alcohol • Showing signs of self-harm, such as cuts, burns, or bruises Depression symptoms typically occur every day and last longer than two weeks. Be aware that kids may try to hide their symptoms.
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