How can I tell if my child is depressed?
Childhood depression is real, and it does not always look like sadness. It often shows up as irritability, loss of interest or physical complaints.
All children have bad days. We talk about depression when the distress lasts for weeks, is there most of the time and affects life at home, at school or with friends.
Signs to watch for
- Sadness or, very often, constant irritability and bad mood.
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy.
- Changes in sleep or appetite.
- Tiredness, stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause.
- Falling behind at school and difficulty concentrating.
- Negative comments about themselves: “I'm useless”.
- Withdrawing from friends.
What we can do
Find a calm moment and tell them what we have noticed, without judging: “you've seemed down for a few days and I'm worried”. Listen without playing it down or rushing to find solutions. Keep up routines, physical activity and enjoyable activities, even if it is hard at first.
When to ask for help
If the signs last more than two weeks, it is advisable to see the paediatrician or a child psychology professional. If they talk about wanting to die or to hurt themselves, seek help immediately: in Spain the 024 helpline is open twenty-four hours a day, and 112 is the emergency number.
Childhood depression can be treated, and asking for help early greatly improves the outlook.