Look for the signs of depression in teens and children

Your child is sleeping more than usual. Your teen is withdrawn and doesn’t spend as much time with family as before. While these signs can seem like typical teenager behavior, they also can mean depression. Depression is not restricted to adults and is very common among children and teens.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function. Most of the time, fleeting blues get better after a few days. It is when changes in mood and behavior persist that depression becomes a concern.

The statistics on depression are staggering. According to the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services:

As many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents may have depression.

Read more here: Look for the signs of depression in teens and children.

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