Depression
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Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Overview
Parents’ descriptions of Depression on Sleuth fit into five topic areas:
Depressed Responses
Defined by these five signs and behaviors: Loss or lack of appetite, Headache(s), Headache(s), Frequent crying, and Unwillingness to go out.
Dim Outlook
Defined by these six signs and behaviors: Sleeping a lot, Feeling hopeless, Low motivation, Quietness, Lack of interest, and Low self-esteem / lack of self-confidence.
Sadness, Anxiety, and Irritability
Defined by these six signs and behaviors: Sadness, Keeping alone (keeping to self), Anxiety, Being irritable, Angry behavior, and Mood swings.
Self-Harm
Defined by these three signs and behaviors: Self-harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Cutting (self).
Sleep and Energy
Defined by these two signs and behaviors: Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy, and Trouble sleeping or insomnia.
All Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Here are the top symptoms or behaviors listed by parents of kids diagnosed with Depression:
| Symptom | Frequency | Number of mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Sadness | Often | 38 mentions |
| Keeping alone (keeping to self) | Often | 28 mentions |
| Frequent crying | Often | 17 mentions |
| Crying | Often | 14 mentions |
| Sleeping a lot | Sometimes | 10 mentions |
| Suicidal thoughts | Sometimes | 9 mentions |
| Angry behavior | Sometimes | 7 mentions |
| Self-harm | Sometimes | 7 mentions |
| Anxiety | Sometimes | 6 mentions |
| Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy | Sometimes | 6 mentions |
When do symptoms start?
How to read this chart
Sadness
0 years oldAmount of children: 0%1 years oldAmount of children: 1%2 years oldAmount of children: 2%3 years oldAmount of children: 1%4 years oldAmount of children: 0%5 years oldAmount of children: 0%6 years oldAmount of children: 2%7 years oldAmount of children: 2%8 years oldAmount of children: 1%9 years oldAmount of children: 2%10 years oldAmount of children: 3%11 years oldAmount of children: 3%12 years oldAmount of children: 3%13 years oldAmount of children: 2%14 years oldAmount of children: 3%15 years oldAmount of children: 1%16 years oldAmount of children: 0%17 years oldAmount of children: 0%average 10 years 6 months old
Keeping alone (keeping to self)
0 years oldAmount of children: 0%1 years oldAmount of children: 0%2 years oldAmount of children: 0%3 years oldAmount of children: 2%4 years oldAmount of children: 2%5 years oldAmount of children: 1%6 years oldAmount of children: 0%7 years oldAmount of children: 2%8 years oldAmount of children: 0%9 years oldAmount of children: 3%10 years oldAmount of children: 3%11 years oldAmount of children: 3%12 years oldAmount of children: 2%13 years oldAmount of children: 1%14 years oldAmount of children: 3%15 years oldAmount of children: 2%16 years oldAmount of children: 1%17 years oldAmount of children: 0%average 10 years 8 months old
Frequent crying
0 years oldAmount of children: 0%1 years oldAmount of children: 0%2 years oldAmount of children: 0%3 years oldAmount of children: 2%4 years oldAmount of children: 0%5 years oldAmount of children: 0%6 years oldAmount of children: 0%7 years oldAmount of children: 0%8 years oldAmount of children: 3%9 years oldAmount of children: 3%10 years oldAmount of children: 0%11 years oldAmount of children: 0%12 years oldAmount of children: 3%13 years oldAmount of children: 3%14 years oldAmount of children: 3%15 years oldAmount of children: 2%16 years oldAmount of children: 0%17 years oldAmount of children: 0%average 12 years 3 months old
Change in symptoms of Depression*
What happens to common Depression symptoms over time?
| Symptom | Worse | A Little Worse | Stayed About the Same | A Little Better | Better | Completely Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadness | 0% | 8.6% | 11.4% | 17.1% | 51.4% | 11.4% |
| Keeping alone (keeping to self) | 0% | 3.8% | 19.2% | 30.8% | 46.2% | 0% |
| Frequent crying | 5.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 47.1% | 29.4% | 5.9% |
| Crying | 7.1% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 42.9% | 28.6% | 7.1% |
| Sleeping a lot | 11.1% | 11.1% | 22.2% | 33.3% | 22.2% | 0% |
| Suicidal thoughts | 12.5% | 25% | 12.5% | 25% | 25% | 0% |
| Angry behavior | 14.3% | 0% | 0% | 14.3% | 57.1% | 14.3% |
| Self-harm | 14.3% | 0% | 0% | 42.9% | 42.9% | 0% |
| Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy | 0% | 0% | 16.7% | 50% | 16.7% | 16.7% |
| Low motivation | 0% | 0% | 16.7% | 16.7% | 66.7% | 0% |
Conditions with similar symptoms to Depression
Parents also mention the behaviors, signs, and symptoms associated with Depression when they describe these conditions:
Anxiety
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Nervousness Often 49 mentions Panic attacks Often 42 mentions Unusual fears or phobias Often 31 mentions Shyness or social anxiety Often 26 mentions Frequent crying Sometimes 25 mentions Angry behavior Sometimes 16 mentions Separation anxiety Sometimes 15 mentions Constant worry Sometimes 14 mentions Anxiety in social situations Sometimes 11 mentions Fidgeting Sometimes 11 mentions Autism
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Not making eye contact Often 70 mentions Delayed speech or language development Often 52 mentions Non-verbal (not able to use words) Often 52 mentions Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) Often 43 mentions Repetitive movement or behavior Sometimes 38 mentions Not talking Sometimes 37 mentions Limited (or lack of) social skills Sometimes 27 mentions Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones) Sometimes 23 mentions Lack of social skills Sometimes 20 mentions Rocking body back and forth Sometimes 19 mentions Headaches
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Fever Often 30 mentions Headache(s) Often 24 mentions Frequent crying Often 19 mentions Dizziness Often 18 mentions Physical pain Often 16 mentions Crying Often 15 mentions Migraine headache(s) Often 14 mentions Vomiting Often 14 mentions Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy Sometimes 12 mentions Tiredness Sometimes 9 mentions
Care of Depression
Common treatments, therapies, and parenting techniques for Depression
| Treatment | Rating | Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| 1Medication (general) | Positive3.6 of 5 | Read 0 comments |
| 2Therapy / Counseling | Positive3.6 of 5 | Read 2 comments |
Less common responses for Depression
| Treatment | Rating | Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| 1Music | Positive4.3 of 5 | Read 0 comments |
| 2Medication (prescription) | Positive4 of 5 | Read 2 comments |
| 3Meditation | Positive3.5 of 5 | Read 0 comments |