Depression in teens and children: Causes, signs, and next steps | Bradley Hospital
Source: http://www.bradleyhospital.org/condition/depression
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:07
Depression in teens and children: Causes, signs, and next steps | Bradley Hospital
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Depression
Although all children may be sad at one time or another, depression is characterized by periods of sadness or feeling “down” that last for a longer period of time (more than 2 weeks) and interfere with a child’s ability to function on a daily basis.
Sub Header
Unlike adults, children who have depression may not appear sad, tearful, or melancholy. Children express their depression in a variety of ways and they may appear irritable.
Header Image Media
Section Intro Text
About five out of 100 children suffer from depression at some point in their childhood or adolescence.
Signs and Symptoms
Typical signs and symptoms of depression include:
Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or crying
Hopelessness
Decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
Persistent boredom
Little energy
Social isolation or poor communication
Low self-esteem
Feeling guilty
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
Difficulty with relationships
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and stomachaches
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
Poor concentration
Major changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-harm behaviors
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Depression affects all aspects of a child’s life and in some unfortunate cases can be fatal. For this reason, it is essential that depression be diagnosed quickly. Depression is not difficult to diagnose once a parent, pediatrician, teacher, or other caregiver recognizes it. If you aren’t sure, be cautious and bring your child in for an evaluation. Depression can be diagnosed anytime in childhood or adolescence. If you think your child has depression, your child may need a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation or psychotherapy evaluation.
Mental Health Evaluations
Get Help at Bradley Hospital
Body
Bradley Hospital clinicians are specially trained to perform evaluations for children and adolescents, and will direct each child to the most appropriate and effective services for their needs. Call our Access Center at
1-855-543-5465
to get help.
Block CTA
Learn more
Flexible Content
Call to Action Block
Treatment
Depression is treatable and is best treated when diagnosed early. A variety of different types of mental health specialists can treat your child, including child and adolescent psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, and psychotherapists. Also, pediatric primary care providers can also identify and start treatment for depression.
Suggested treatment options include individual psychotherapy (particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy), family psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and antidepressant medications (in particular, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SRIs).
If depression is affecting the child’s ability to learn, adjustments may need to be made in their education program. Treatment is most successful when ongoing support is provided to the child, family, and school.
Quicklinks
Treatment Options
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Treatment
Related Centers and Programs
Child & Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs
Bradley Outpatient Services
Outpatient Group Therapy Programs for Kids, Teens and Parents
Child & Adolescent Inpatient Program at Bradley Hospital
Children's Residential Treatment Services
Medical Psychiatric Program
Co-Occurring Disorders Services
Early Childhood Outpatient Program
Bradley REACH
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Talking with Children About Politics
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How Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Can Help Teens
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Parents and Adolescents: Surviving the Teenage Years
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Resources
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
800-826-3632
https://www.ndmda.org
DepressedTeens.com
https://www.depressedteens.com
Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression
(1998)
By David G. Fassler and Lynne Dumas
reCAPTCHA
Skip to main content
Search for Resources & Information
Depression
Although all children may be sad at one time or another, depression is characterized by periods of sadness or feeling “down” that last for a longer period of time (more than 2 weeks) and interfere with a child’s ability to function on a daily basis.
Sub Header
Unlike adults, children who have depression may not appear sad, tearful, or melancholy. Children express their depression in a variety of ways and they may appear irritable.
Header Image Media
Section Intro Text
About five out of 100 children suffer from depression at some point in their childhood or adolescence.
Signs and Symptoms
Typical signs and symptoms of depression include:
Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or crying
Hopelessness
Decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
Persistent boredom
Little energy
Social isolation or poor communication
Low self-esteem
Feeling guilty
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
Difficulty with relationships
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and stomachaches
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
Poor concentration
Major changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-harm behaviors
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Depression affects all aspects of a child’s life and in some unfortunate cases can be fatal. For this reason, it is essential that depression be diagnosed quickly. Depression is not difficult to diagnose once a parent, pediatrician, teacher, or other caregiver recognizes it. If you aren’t sure, be cautious and bring your child in for an evaluation. Depression can be diagnosed anytime in childhood or adolescence. If you think your child has depression, your child may need a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation or psychotherapy evaluation.
Mental Health Evaluations
Get Help at Bradley Hospital
Body
Bradley Hospital clinicians are specially trained to perform evaluations for children and adolescents, and will direct each child to the most appropriate and effective services for their needs. Call our Access Center at
1-855-543-5465
to get help.
Block CTA
Learn more
Flexible Content
Call to Action Block
Treatment
Depression is treatable and is best treated when diagnosed early. A variety of different types of mental health specialists can treat your child, including child and adolescent psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, and psychotherapists. Also, pediatric primary care providers can also identify and start treatment for depression.
Suggested treatment options include individual psychotherapy (particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy), family psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and antidepressant medications (in particular, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SRIs).
If depression is affecting the child’s ability to learn, adjustments may need to be made in their education program. Treatment is most successful when ongoing support is provided to the child, family, and school.
Quicklinks
Treatment Options
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Treatment
Related Centers and Programs
Child & Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs
Bradley Outpatient Services
Outpatient Group Therapy Programs for Kids, Teens and Parents
Child & Adolescent Inpatient Program at Bradley Hospital
Children's Residential Treatment Services
Medical Psychiatric Program
Co-Occurring Disorders Services
Early Childhood Outpatient Program
Bradley REACH
Blog Posts
Header Image Media
Token Title Display
Talking with Children About Politics
Header Image Media
Token Title Display
How Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Can Help Teens
Header Image Media
Token Title Display
Parents and Adolescents: Surviving the Teenage Years
See all Blog Posts
Courses
See all Courses
Token Title Display
Understanding Risk for Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
Registration Link Url
Learn More and Register
About
This presentation will provide a broad overview of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents, including its prevalence in this age group, the reasons teens engage in this behavior, some of the...
Presenters
Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD
Token Title Display
The Power of "And": How to Use DBT in Everyday Life
Registration Link Url
Learn More and Register
About
This module provides a brief background on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and focuses on the concept of “dialectics.” In particular, the importance of using the word “and” and demonstrating how it...
Presenters
Rebecca Laptook, PhD
Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD
Token Title Display
The Positive Use of Video Games and Media in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Registration Link Url
Learn More and Register
About
Video games have been considered the new contemporary toys of the Twenty First Century. Horacio Hojman, MD has always been interested in using video games and media narratives as a pivotal step to...
Presenters
Horacio Hojman, MD
Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD
Podcast Episodes
See all Podcasts
Token Title Display
The Motivation Mindset: Meeting Kids Where They Are
Description
Morgan Lindberg, nurse educator, joins us to discuss what truly drives kids, how to support them in meaningful ways, and why motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. From understanding different praise...
Hosts Guests
Morgan Lindberg, RN, MEd
Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD
Gregory K. Fritz, MD
Token Title Display
Teens, Mental Health, and the Impact of Substance Use
Description
Dr. Robert Miranda is on the latest episode of Mindcast, discussing the use of substances and the correlation to mental health in teens. Find out why teens start using substances and how to help your...
Hosts Guests
Robert Miranda Jr., PhD, MEd
Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD
Gregory K. Fritz, MD
Token Title Display
Bridging the Gap: Supporting Pediatric Mental Health in Primary Care
Description
Ali Manning, MD discusses the importance of supporting pediatric primary care providers with caring for their patient's mental health needs.
Hosts Guests
Alison Manning, MD
Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD
Gregory K. Fritz, MD
Typical Co-Existing Diagnoses
Related Conditions Content
Token Title Display
Anxiety Disorders
Token Title Display
Bipolar Disorder
Token Title Display
Self-Injurious Behaviors
Token Title Display
Suicidal Ideation
Token Title Display
Substance Use
Token Title Display
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Token Title Display
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Token Title Display
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Token Title Display
Learning Disorders
Token Title Display
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Token Title Display
Sensory Integration Disorder (SID)
Resources
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
800-826-3632
https://www.ndmda.org
DepressedTeens.com
https://www.depressedteens.com
Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression
(1998)
By David G. Fassler and Lynne Dumas
reCAPTCHA