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Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Children and Teens
Below are listed some of the more common symptoms of depression and related illnesses in children and adolescents.
In infants and toddlers, symptoms include:
- Decreased pleasure in activities that should interest a child of this age and developmental level
- Sad or deadpan facial expression
- Little motor activity
- Withdrawal
- Too little or too much crying
- Excessive whining
- Failure to grow and thrive
- Verbal expressions of sadness
- Lack of social interest
Symptoms of depression in preschoolers include the above and/or:
- Frequent, unexplained stomachaches, headaches or fatigue
- Over-activity or excessive restlessness
- Frequent sadness
- Low tolerance for frustration
- Irritability
- Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Tendency to portray the world as sad or bleak
In school-aged children, look for the above and/or:
| | | | | | | • | Frequent and unexplained physical complaints
| | | • | Significant weight loss or gain
| | | • | Expressions or feelings of sadness or hopelessness
| | | • | Low self-esteem
| | | • | Excessive worrying
| | | • | Changes in sleep patterns
| | | • | Tearfulness
| | | • | Unprovoked hostility or aggression
| | | • | Refusal or reluctance to attend school
| | | • | Drop in school grades or conduct
| | | • | Little interest in playing with others
| | | • | Poor communication
| | | • | Thoughts about or efforts to run away
| | | • | Morbid or suicidal thoughts or actions
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Depressed adolescents may suffer any of the above symptoms and or:
| | | | | | | • | Behavior problems in school
| | | • | Fatigue
| | | • | Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
| | | • | Self-destructive behavior
| | | • | Difficulty with relationships
| | | • | Eating-related problems
| | | • | Anti-social or delinquent behavior
| | | • | Social isolation
| | | • | Inattention to appearance
| | | • | Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
| | | • | Physical slowness or agitation
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Symptoms of other mental illnesses in children
ADHD
| | | | | | | • | Excessive fidgeting of the hands and feet
| | | • | Difficulty sitting or staying seated
| | | • | Jumping from one uncompleted task to another
| | | • | Continually interrupting other people’s conversation or disrupting other children’s games
| | | • | Appearing no to pay attention to what is being said
| | | • | Engaging in dangerous activities without thinking about the consequences
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Bipolar Disorder
| | | | | | | • | grandiosity
| | | • | pressured or rapid speech
| | | • | racing thoughts
| | | • | decreased need for sleep
| | | • | distractability
| | | • | hyperactivity
| | | • | impulsive or risky behavior
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Conduct Disorder
| | | | | | | • | Bullying others
| | | • | Initiating fights
| | | • | Being physically cruel to people and/or animals
| | | • | Using any kind of weapon, such as a bat, pipe or knife to hurt others
| | | • | Being consistently disobedient
| | | • | Using any kind of weapon, such as a bat, pipe or knife to hurt others
| | | • | Being consistently disobedient
| | | • | Stealing
| | | • | Lying to or “conning” others
| | | • | Intentionally destroying others’ property, for example deliberately setting fires
| | | • | Repeatedly attempting to run away from home
| | | • | Truancy
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Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder
| | | | | | | • | Erasing so often that the paper begins to tear
| | | • | Repeatedly retracing letters or words; continually rereading the same paragraphs
| | | • | Refusing to sue a towel more than once until it is laundered
| | | • | Repeatedly stopping up the toilet because of fear of germs makes them use too much paper
| | | • | Rigid bedtime rituals
| | | • | Asking to have phrases repeated over and over again
| | | • | Constantly worrying that they may be getting sick
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If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, he or she may need help. Contact your primary care physician or your mental health network (800-395-1356) to find out how to begin a comprehensive evaluation.
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