What is depression?
Clinical depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and thoughts of worthlessness and hopelessness. Depression is often accompanied by a loss of interest or pleasure and withdrawal from activities and interactions previously enjoyed, interfering with daily functioning.
Symptoms of depression in children and teens
Depression can affect children and teens just as it does adults—but it doesn’t always look the same. It can be hard to spot, especially when sadness isn’t the most obvious emotion. For young people, depression might also show up as:
- persistent sadness or hopelessness
- irritability
- low energy
- loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- changes in sleep or eating habits
You might also notice increased fatigue, difficulty concentrating, low self-esteem, or frequent complaints of physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. In some cases, kids may seem more withdrawn, tearful, or easily frustrated. These symptoms can be easy to overlook or mistaken for other issues, which is why a thoughtful, developmentally informed approach to assessment and support is so important.
If you think your child or teen is depressed, consulting a child psychologist can provide valuable insights and strategies.
Get SupportDepression treatment & support
At Red Oak, we help children and teens manage negative thoughts and feelings to develop healthy mood-regulation skills.
We know how deeply depression can impact a young person’s daily life, from their relationships to how they manage at school or feel about themselves. With the right support, children and teens can learn to understand their emotions, build coping strategies, and return to a sense of wellbeing.
Our clinical psychologists support children and teens with depression by teaching healthier patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions using evidence-based treatments such as:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
CBT is typically considered a short-term treatment (ie. 6–20 sessions), and teaches strategies to change the cycle between unhelpful or mistaken thoughts, negative behaviour, and problematic feelings.
CBT strategies are commonly used to treat anxiety and mood disorders, and are useful for any person wanting to change the way they think about and live life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment that blends mindfulness skills and behaviour change to help people live their lives meaningfully.
ACT aims to promote psychological flexibility and wellness by teaching the acceptance of negative thoughts, feelings and experience and the commitment to action and change that aligns with a an individual’s values.
ACT uses metaphor and imagery to emphasize forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, personal values and living in the present moment.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that combines core elements of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with acceptance and mindfulness practices.
DBT skills and strategies are often taught to help individuals cope with extreme emotions and harmful behaviours, balancing the need for behaviour change with acceptance and validation.
DBT aims to teach five sets of skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and walking the middle path.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based treatment that has roots in the science of emotion and attachment theory. EFT helps individuals gain awareness, acceptance and understanding of their emotions, teaching skills to improve relationships and the connection to the self and others.
Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is an extension of EFT and focuses on improving family relationships.
Causes of depression in children and teens
Depression doesn’t have a single cause—it’s often the result of a combination of factors. For some children, it may be related to genetics or family history. For others, stressful life events, loss, trauma, or ongoing challenges at school or home may play a role. Brain chemistry and how a child processes emotions can also contribute. Children with other conditions, such as ADHD or anxiety, may be more vulnerable to developing depression.
Depression and ADHD
Low mood, lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy, or feelings of hopelessness can sometimes occur alongside ADHD. Depression can make it harder to stay motivated or keep up with daily responsibilities.
