Children are precious parts of our lives. How our children act, behave and handle their little lives can be a difficult task for their selves. Depression is a problem that is challenging many children as they face problems and situations in their lives.

Signs and symptoms of depression are something that every adult has to be aware of in children. Children who are not treated for their depression grow up to have troubled lives, sometimes leading to problems with the law, sometimes leading to problems with relationships or problems with their keeping a job. Treating a child for depression is a task that should not be taken lightly.

Some signs of depression in a child are as follows:

• Their moods swing from happy to sad drastically and continually.
• Mood swings to the very deep and dark sadness last longer than the happiness in their lives.
• Grades drop and the child is not interested in attending school
• If a child expresses continued anger
• If a child is sleeping more than they usually do, ten to fourteen hours at a time
• If a child can’t sleep, is suffering from insomnia this is a sign of depression
• Weight gains and weight loss in drastic and fast time frames are a sign of depression
• Loss of energy, loss of interest in what used to make them happy is another sign of depression
• Not wanting to be involved in family activities or with friends as they used to
• If a child wants or shows the want to hurt their self
• After a death of a close family member and the child is unable to help their selves get over this death
• Not wanting to leave their bedroom for days at a time
• Not wanting to eat or drink for long periods of time
• Not wanting to wash or care for their selves for days at a time

Take the time to spend with your children and get to know their changes, their lives and what is going on so you realize if depression is what is going on.