Symptoms of depression in children are different from that of adults. Children manifest their depression indirectly. One needs to carefully observe their behavior patterns to recognize their depression symptoms. Often these signs are subtle which makes it difficult for parents, health care providers and teachers to recognize the symptoms and delay in providing the required help.
Depending on the age of the child, the most obvious symptoms of depression are:
Crying or weeping
Irritability
Disobedience
Screaming
Restlessness
In very young children:
Delay in development
Social withdrawal
Anxiety
Problems in sleeping
Eating problems
DEPRESSION IN TEENAGERS
For school children the symptoms are:
Fatigue
Problems in school
Lack of concentration
Lack of motivation
Apathy/non attachment
Difficulty with school work
Mostly in children the symptoms of depression subside on their own. Feelings of sadness or transient depression are common in both adults and children. However, a persistence of symptoms in adolescents and teenagers call for a need of intervention. Teenagers become socially isolated and act in self destructive way. Children with problems at home, illness, history of violence and history of depression in family should be given special attention. If you have concerns that you child might be depressed then don't hesitate to take help from a mental healthcare professional.
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