Recognize Depression in Children, Teenagers and Adults

Depression can affect a person's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors from children, adolescents to adults. Depression can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems that can make it difficult for someone to carry out normal daily activities.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

When someone experiences depression, there are several conditions or symptoms that can occur in them, as well as in children. Younger children, symptoms of depression can occur such as sadness, irritability, dependency, worry, aches and pains in the body, refusing to go to school, or weight loss / underweight.

Depression in Teens
In teens, symptoms of depression can include sadness, irritability, feelings of negativity and worthlessness, anger, poor performance or attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and overly sensitive, excessive or excessive eating or sleeping, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, avoidance of social interactions, and worrying about drug or alcohol use.

Depression in Older Adults

Depression is not a normal part of aging, and it should not be taken lightly. Depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and many older adults may be reluctant or embarrassed to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different in older adults, including:

• Difficulty remembering or personality changes
• Pain in body parts
• Fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
• Wanting to stay home more often, rather than going out to socialize or do new things
• Suicidal thoughts or feelings

When to Seek Help for Depression

If you feel sad, stressed and want to hurt yourself or try to commit suicide, this is a condition that you should be aware of. Don't be reluctant or embarrassed to talk to someone close to you or if needed, consult a psychologist, doctor or mental health professional to get the right action and treatment.

Remember, don't underestimate mental health problems, especially depression, because this condition is not a weakness and can happen to anyone and at any time.