Fact Sheets > Depression in adolescents and children

Depression in adolescents and children

Adolescents have a higher prevalence of Depression compared to the general population. Unfortunately, it is easy to miss Depression in adolescents and children because the signs of depression in adolescents and children are usually similar to other conditions such as anxiety, aggressiveness, irritability, delinquency, and hyperactivity.

In addition, these behaviours can be symptomatic of or associated with several other disorders in adolescents and children including learning disabilities, alcohol and substance abuse. Particularly in adolescents, signs of depression could get covered up or confused with the emotional turmoil that is thought to be characteristic of the adolescence development stage.

The dangerous act of misdiagnosed Depression in adolescents and children can be fatal as the severity of Depression symptoms in adolescents and children is just as life threatening as the Depression condition suffers by adults. Adolescents and children suffer from Depression for the same reason/s as adults. These reasons include environmental factors such as:

1) Stress

2) Post-traumatic events

3) A loss of a parent or loved one

4) Break-up of a romantic relationship

5) Attentional conduct or learning disorders

6) Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer

7) Abuse or neglect

Some physiological factors that bias an adolescent or child to suffer from Depression may include:

1) Genes. Studies had shown that those with a family history of Depression have a higher incident of Depression.

2) Gender. During adolescents, girls are twice as likely as boys to develop depression

3) Depleted amount of brain chemicals known as Dopamine.

Adolescents and children with Depression may show some of the following signs:

• Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomaches or tiredness.
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school.
• Talks or thoughts of running away from home.
• Outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability, or crying.
• Feeling bored.
• Change in usual sleep patterns. These may include difficulty in getting to sleep as displayed by up late at night watching TV, or having difficulty getting up for school in the mornings, falling asleep often during the day.
• Significant change in appetite or eating habits, as shown by obvious weight loss or gain.
• Lack of motivation, and low mental and physical energy level to do anything. Seems very tired, often sits around doing nothing, misses classes, falling academic performance and/or difficulty concentrating.
• Lack of interest in interacting with friends.
• Alcohol or substance abuse.
• Social isolation, poor communication.
• Highly sensitivity to rejection or failure.
• Thoughts of ending one’s own life.
• Easily irritability, anger, or hostility.
• Risk-taking behaviour.
• Problems with relationships.

These signs usually persist for more than a month at a time. Depression is a serious disorder and treatment should be sought as soon as possible. Typically, treatment includes medication and psychotherapy.

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