Depression is a mood disorder that can impact any age. It typically shows up as persistent sadness, low energy, irritability, or a sense of hopelessness. While mood swings are a normal part of childhood, depression is different, involving sustained low mood, irritability, and often physical symptoms lasting longer than two weeks. Depression is highly treatable, and with the proper attention and care, your child can recover and get back on track.
How Common Is Depression in Children?
According to 2022-2023 US data, roughly 4% of children ages 3-17 (6% of females and 3% of males) have received a depression diagnosis.¹
How to Tell If Your Child Is Depressed
Depression doesn’t look the same in every child. Some kids show an obvious, consistent low mood, while others express distress through physical complaints like stomachaches. Teens and older school-aged children may withdraw from friends and family or frequently describe feeling “tired.” Pay attention to what’s typical for your child, then track shifts away from that baseline.
Common signs of depression in children include:²
- Ongoing sadness or low mood
- Increased irritability, anger, or grouchiness
- Excessive self-criticism
- Acting out or becoming more oppositional
- Low energy or reduced effort at school or home
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities, games, or toys
- Shifts in sleep or eating patterns
- Unexplained physical complaints, such as headaches, stomachaches, or joint pain
- Digestive issues
Internalized vs. Externalized Depression Symptoms in Children
When young children struggle it can look a couple different ways. One is internalization, in which a child might know that they’re not okay but can’t put words to it. Instead, they might express higher anxiety, have difficulty separating from caregivers, or struggle with changing routines.
Other children might externalize, having fits, throwing things, or refusing to follow directions. Kids often don’t have the vocabulary to express how they’re feeling. If your child starts exhibiting either range of these behaviors, or you just feel something is “off,” it’s a good idea to talk with a mental health professional who specializes in children.
What Causes Depression in Children?
The exact causes of childhood depression aren’t fully understood, but it typically stems from a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. A child with a family history of depression combined with a stressful life event or medical issue is at a higher risk of developing symptoms.
Risk factors for childhood depression include:³
- A close family member with depression
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Major life stressors, such as parental separation, loss of a loved one, or relocation
- Medical factors like low birth weight, brain injury, or chronic illness
- Bullying or significant interpersonal conflict
- Co-occurring mental health or learning conditions
What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Depressed
If you’re noticing signs of depression in your child, it’s important to start the conversation early and check in regularly. From there, a therapist can help your child and family navigate any underlying life changes and build routines and coping tools to support recovery.
If you suspect your child may be depressed, here are some steps you could take:⁴
- Talk with your child directly: Ask how they’re feeling and whether anything is bothering them. Let them know you’ve noticed they’re struggling and that you’re there to support them, and that they’re not in trouble for being honest with you.
- Connect with a therapist: A therapist trained in children’s behavioral health can offer insight into what your child is experiencing and provide coping tools for both your child and your family as a whole.
- Check in with their pediatrician: A physical exam can rule out or identify health factors that might be contributing to symptoms. Share any changes you’ve noticed in sleep, appetite, energy, or motivation.
- Model emotional expression: Kids often lack the vocabulary to describe what they’re feeling. Talking openly about your own emotions helps build that vocabulary and gives them language for their own experience.
- Support healthy habits: Regular physical activity supports mood and can improve sleep and appetite as well.
- Build consistent routines: Predictable sleep and meal schedules can give kids a sense of stability. Since depression frequently disrupts sleep, prioritizing quality rest is especially important during recovery.
- Stay patient: Healing from depression takes time. Rather than expecting them to “bounce back,” give your child the space and time they need to heal at their own pace.
Treatments for Depression in Children
Childhood depression responds well to treatment, especially when addressed early. Therapy is usually the first step, often involving parents and other family members alongside the child. If therapy alone isn’t enough, medication may be added to the plan.
Treatment options for depression in children can include:
- Individual therapy: A therapist trained in childhood mental health can help kids understand what’s driving their depression, feel less alone, and build coping strategies. For young children, therapists typically use play therapy to keep kids engaged while weaving in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to teach the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapists working with older children will likely incorporate more techniques and modalities depending on their unique needs.
- Family therapy: Parental involvement plays a major role in a child’s recovery. Family therapy helps parents build skills for supporting their child at home and offers guidance if a major life change affected the whole family.
- Medication: If therapy alone isn’t resolving symptoms, a psychiatric provider specializing in childhood mental health may add medication such as an SSRI or SNRI alongside continued therapy, closely monitoring for any side effects or unwanted reactions.
How New Directions Mental Health Can Help
At New Directions Mental Health, our mission is to provide comprehensive mental health support for our entire community, including children. Our clinics across the greater Pittsburgh area serve clients of all ages, with therapists and psychiatric providers who specialize in children’s mental health.
If you suspect your child may be dealing with depression, don’t wait to seek support. Call 724.374.7414 or schedule your first appointment to learn more about how we can help your child start feeling better.
Sources:
- Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health. (2025). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html
- Depression in Children and Teens. (2026). Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/depression-in-children-and-teens
- Depression in Children. (2023). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14938-depression-in-children
- 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Child with Depression. (2018). National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/blog/5-things-you-can-do-to-help-your-child-with-depression/
