Depression in children and teens
Is your child struggling with depression?
Children with depression can often feel anxious, or persistently low, but please remember that depression is treatable. Seek help for your child if they are persistently unhappy, hopeless or have lost interest in things they used to enjoy
What is depression?
If your child has depression, they may be persistently unhappy, feel hopeless and lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Depression impacts how we feel, think and act. Depression affects children and teens in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. However low they are feeling now, please remember that depression is treatable.
When to seek treatment for Depression in children and teens
You should consider treatment for your child when:
They have a persistent low mood or unhappiness
They have a sense of worthlessness and inadequacy with a loss of confidence
They have feelings of guilt, anxiety and irritability
A loss of energy, general aches and pains and little motivation to do things
They have a loss of interest and pleasure in day-to-day activities
You notice a changes in appetite – either eating less or more
Sleep disturbance – difficulties getting off to sleep or early morning waking
They have a sense of hopelessness and helplessness about the future
They have expressed thoughts of death and suicide
"I was initially apprehensive about these sessions, especially taking place over video because of how my daughter is, but it turned out really well."
"My therapist took me seriously without judgement and always involved me in decisions."
"Therapy gives me more tools into how to fight depression, and hopefully to come out as a winner."
Recovery rate
87% successful recovery rate
Accreditation
We are BABCP accredited
What you need to know
CBT is the treatment of choice for mild to moderate depression. If symptoms of depression are severe, and medication is required, then it has a greater effect if combined with CBT. Guidelines on depression, produced by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend CBT as an effective psychological treatment to overcome depression and stay well. All our CBT Therapists are BABCP accredited therapists, so all are specifically trained to treat depression with CBT.
Depression does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get depressed too.
It's important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt your child's life and turn into a long-term problem.
It's important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt your child's life and turn into a long-term problem.
Sadness, or a low mood that does not go away
Being irritable or grumpy all the time
Not being interested in things they used to enjoy
Feeling tired and exhausted a lot of the time
Being irritable or grumpy all the time
Not being interested in things they used to enjoy
Feeling tired and exhausted a lot of the time
Have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual
Not be able to concentrate
Interact less with friends and family
Be indecisive
Not have much confidence
Eat less than usual or overeat
Have big changes in weight
Seem unable to relax or be more lethargic than usual
Talk about feeling guilty or worthless
Feel empty or unable to feel emotions (numb)
Have thoughts about suicide or self-harming
Actually self-harm, for example, cutting their skin or taking an overdose
Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.
Problems at school can be a sign of depression in children and young people and so can problem behaviour.
Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol.
Not be able to concentrate
Interact less with friends and family
Be indecisive
Not have much confidence
Eat less than usual or overeat
Have big changes in weight
Seem unable to relax or be more lethargic than usual
Talk about feeling guilty or worthless
Feel empty or unable to feel emotions (numb)
Have thoughts about suicide or self-harming
Actually self-harm, for example, cutting their skin or taking an overdose
Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.
Problems at school can be a sign of depression in children and young people and so can problem behaviour.
Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol.
Book an appointment
We offer online, phone or face to face therapy. Contact us to get matched to the right therapist for you.