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 Your teen is withdrawn and doesn’t spend as much time with family as before.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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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.