Childhood is not always — or even usually — carefree. Depression among kids is common and can be serious, but it is treatable.
It’s natural for children to have tears and fears. But if persistent sadness overtakes your child’s interests and relationships, depression could be a cause.
Depression won’t disappear with a new toy, better grade, or winning a game. But it can be managed with therapy, healthy routines, and medication.
Knowing the symptoms and causes of childhood depression can help you respond effectively.
Depression among youth is on the rise.
In 2021, a systematic review and meta-analysis across 29 samples involving nearly 81,000 people found that 1 in 4 children ages 4 to 17 showed signs of elevated depression symptoms.
Researchers suggest that although childhood depression is nothing new, the pandemic has nearly doubled its rates because of social distancing, health losses, and remote learning.
Study authors emphasize that during the pandemic, kids have endured significant disruptions in their everyday lives, including:
Researchers say these are “all potential precipitants of psychological distress and mental health difficulties in youth.”
The review also suggested girls show higher rates of depression than boys.
Racism, discrimination, and increased exposure to violence may cause some marginalized groups to experience more depression than others.
Reviewers of the meta-analysis also noted that studies on childhood depression were limited in representing marginalized groups and did not include gender diversity in young people.
One 2021 cross-sectional study suggests that of 375 participants, 148 transgender kids ages 12 to 18 showed slightly elevated depression and anxiety rates than their cisgender siblings and peers. That’s despite perceiving more anxiety and depression.
Cross-sectional study authors note their research was limited by overrepresenting white, financially well-off young people with higher levels of parent education.
More research is needed across racial, socioeconomic, and gender-diverse groups to better understand childhood depression for diverse individuals.
Often childhood depression is misidentified as laziness by caregivers or misdiagnosed as ADHD or other behavioral disorders.
Whereas the primary symptom of depression for adults is a low mood, in children and teens, the primary symptom can present as an irritable mood, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5).
In addition to irritability, symptoms seen in children may include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that suicide is among the leading causes of death for people ages 10 to 24. If you have any concerns about your child’s safety, don’t hesitate to seek suicide intervention:
No one factor causes depression in kids.
Contributing factors include:
Your genes play a role in whether you will develop some mental or physical health conditions, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle.
Epigenetics is the study of how the DNA you inherit does or does not manifest in you. This means that any genetic predispositions that run in your family can stay inactive or can even be reversible when signs show up early.
In some cases, it’s possible to decrease the likelihood of your child experiencing social stressors that can influence depression. The CDC offers resources to address youth:
Depression can cause changes in the brain. Untreated, these changes can have long lasting effects, including a greater chance of experiencing adult depression, as well as:
If you suspect your child has depression, the more support you can get early on, the less likely depression will have long lasting effects.
A pediatrician will likely be your first point of contact for depression screening and diagnosis.
A diagnosis requires symptoms to be experienced most of the day, nearly every day, for no less than 2 weeks.
Your child’s doctor will also likely want to rule out other medical conditions, such as:
If symptoms can’t be attributed to another medical condition, your primary care physician will likely refer your child to a social worker, pediatric psychologist, or psychiatrist.
A pediatric psychologist or psychiatrist will work with you to establish a treatment plan, such as one of the following:
Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. The clinician can help your child explore the experiences and feelings that may be contributing to depression. Psychotherapy has been shown to influence positive, long-term changes in the brain.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful to identify thought patterns and perspectives that influence depression. Your child could learn new coping skills.
Play therapy uses the kid’s imagination to explore thoughts or feelings they might not express outwardly.
Online therapy may work best for you and your child’s schedule, among other reasons. Effective online child therapy programs will require parental consent and participation.
For moderate or severe depression, antidepressant medications may be recommended.
Dr. Richa Bhatia, a psychiatrist in Santa Rosa, California, gives the following pointers:
As a caretaker, you won’t be able to “fix” your child’s depression; however, you play a significant role in facilitating treatment.
You may choose to offer your child emotional support by:
Fostering healthy habits may help supplement professional interventions. You can:
This 2019 review of childhood depression studies notes that relationships with peers have been shown to reduce depression in at-risk children. You may wish to:
While facilitating treatment for your child, it may benefit you to ensure that you’re getting support, too. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) can connect you with other parents who understand what you’re going through.
With treatment, depression often lifts. New ways of coping can help enrich your child’s life now and in the future.
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Medically reviewed by Cydney Ortiz, PsyD — Written by Karen Sosnoski, PhD — Updated on March 28, 2022
© 2024 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information.
© 2024 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information.
