Depression

What is it?

Everyone feels low occasionally including children of any age. Feeling sad is a normal reaction to experiences that are stressful or upsetting. When these sad feelings start to interfer in a child's life and it stops them from doing things they used to enjoy it can become an illness. This illness is referred to as depression.

What are the signs of Depression in Children and Young People?

An unexpected change in behaviour or mood which is out of character may suggest that something is wrong!

Children who are depressed may:

  • Rarely smile, have a glazed or frozen stare
  • Be tearful or anxious
  • Appear bored
  • Give up extra curricular activities that they usually enjoy
  • Lose interest in personal appearance or personal hygiene
  • Drop in academic standards, poor concentration, forgetful, self critical
  • Complain of headaches, stomach ache, feeling sick or other ailments
  • Arrive at school late or attendance changes
  • Low self-esteem
  • Withdraw from friends, have friendship problems
  • Hyperactivity, restlessness, agitation and aggression

Symptoms

  • Persistent low irritable mood, most of the day, nearly every day
  • Loss of interests and/or pleasure in almost all activities
  • Feeling sad or empty
  • Trouble sleeping or over sleeping
  • Loss of energy or tiredness
  • Difficulties in concentrating or thinking
  • Marked loss or increase in appetite
  • Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide or thoughts of harming others
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

If a child or young person displays low mood or lack of interest in activities nearly every day for a period of two weeks or more, along with at least four of the other symptoms, they MAY be depressed. However about 10% of children and young people with depression recover spontaneously within 3 months.

What should I do?

If you suspect a child or young person maybe depressed then:

  • Spend time with the child – use listening and conversational techniques
  • Schools could use circle time
  • Discuss your concerns with parents/carers
  • Provide opportunities for the young person to form a relationship with a trusted adult
  • A daily programme of activities
  • Flexibility in classroom tasks
  • Keep distractions to a minimum
  • Try not to let incomplete schoolwork build up
  • Give them responsibility to build their self-esteem
  • Plan break times
  • Deal with allegations of bullying quickly
  • Promote positive thinking – what has gone well
  • Provide outlets for feelings through play, writing or drawing

Young people should always be referred to or advice sought from their GP or Rise (the mental health service for children and young people when:

  • They self harm
  • Indicate they may try to commit suicide
  • They have a distorted appreciation of reality
  • They have been experiencing low mood for more than 3 months