Presbyterian | Your Story | Centennial Care | Fall 2021

www.phs.org/centennialcare 7 Is my child depressed? Kids can and do get depression—although the warning signs can be easy to miss. For starters, children who are depressed can seem more angry than sad. And it’s easy to confuse depression with the occasional down days that are part of growing up. But a child’s low mood might be depression if the symptoms occur most of the time for at least two weeks. Children who are depressed may: ● Seem angry, restless, or agitated ● Lose interest in their favorite activities ● Have a sense of hopelessness, guilt, or low self-worth ● Say they have aches or pains ● Avoid family or their usual friends ● Be tired all the time ● Have a hard time concentrating ● Run away from home or talk about doing so ● Start getting poor grades ● Talk about death or suicide ● Sleep or eat too little or too much ● Suddenly gain or lose weight ● Engage in risky behaviors, like drug or alcohol use or unsafe sex How to tell if your child is being bullied Few things are as heartbreaking as the bullying of a child. For some kids, the pain of being picked on can lead to low self- esteem and depression. And while bullying can happen to any child, some kids may be more at risk. Among them: LGBTQ+ kids, kids with disabilities, and kids who are often alone or have few friends. Kids don’t always tell their parents when they’re being bullied. They may feel too helpless, embarrassed, or scared to speak up. So it’s up to parents to be alert to possible signs. These can include: ● Unexplained injuries from fighting or being picked on ● Lost or damaged clothing or belongings ● Frequent headaches or stomachaches ● Changes in eating habits, like skipping meals or eating large amounts of food in a short time as a way to cope ● Trouble sleeping ● A drop in grades or a loss of interest in school ● Sudden loss of friendships ● Harmful behaviors, like running away, hurting themselves, or talking about suicide If you think your child is being bullied, start a conversation. Your help and support can begin to make things better. For more information about how to help your child, visit www.stopbullying.gov . Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; StopBullying.gov If you think your child could be depressed, talk with them about how they’re feeling—and talk to their provider right away. Depression is very treatable. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Anxiety and Depression Association of America; HelpGuide