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Depressed children may experience irritable mood or sadness that is frequently expressed by crying (especially in preschool-aged children) and a sense of overall hopelessness. They may have little interest in new activities, and may no longer enjoy activities that were previously pleasurable. These children often have difficulties at school, somatic complaints, and aggressive or antisocial behavior patterns. Some may experience changes in weight or disruption in sleep patterns.

Many depressed children complain of persistent boredom and may exhibit low levels of energy. They may have few friends, or begin to abandon friends they made earlier. They may even talk about wishing they were dead or make similar statements that indicate suicidal thoughts. Symptoms of depression may vary according to the age of the child.

Symptoms associated with preschool- or elementary school-aged children include:

• Academic difficulties
• Boredom
• Crying more often than usual
• Decreased interest in playing
• Easily discouraged
• Emotionally distant with family and friends
• Increased irritability
• Listlessness and moodiness
• Sad appearance
• Talk of death

Symptoms of depression among teenagers include:

• Arguments with parents and teachers
• Constant tiredness
• Harmful behavior, such as self-injury
• Refusal to do chores or homework
• Withdrawal from favored activities
• Suicidal thoughts or statements

Other general symptoms associated with depression in children include:

• Poor self-esteem
• High levels of guilt
• Fear of rejection or failure
• Persistent anger or hostility
• Regular headache, stomachache or other physical ailments
• Inability to concentrate
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Self-destructive behavior
• Threats to run away from home

A child who has five or more symptoms associated wth depression for a period of at least two weeks is likely to be depressed. Depressed children are at significantly increased risk for attempting suicide. Suicide rates among young people have nearly tripled since 1960. According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), almost 5,000 individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years kill themselves each year. It is believed that most of these suicide victims suffered from untreated depression.

Children whose depression continues into adolescence are at increased risk for abusing drugs and alcohol or engaging in unsafe sex or other risky behaviors.