Seven Red Flag Signs Your Child Could Be Depressed

Around 800,000 five to 17-year-olds suffer mental health disorders in the UK, according to a recent report.

IT’S easy to shrug off and blame on “those difficult teenage years”.

But, if your kid goes silent on a family Whatsapp group or flies off the handle, it could be a sign something more serious is going on.

As many as 800,000 kids aged five to 17 in the UK suffer mental health disorders, a recent report by the Children’s Commissioner found.

And last month it emerged that pupils aged between 11 and 16 will be given lessons at school to help them cope with modern life.

Cyberbullying, online stress and social media are among the subjects on the lesson plan, part of a Public Health England drive to help students boost their resilience and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

“Young people have to adapt to lots of changes as they grow up, so it’s normal for them to express raw emotions and change moods quickly while they are learning how to cope with everyday challenges,” Emma Saddleton, parents helpline manager at mental health charity Young Minds, tells The Sun Online.

“But if a young person is consistently struggling, for example if you see a sustained change in their sleeping or eating patterns, or if they seem to be upset over a long period of time, it’s important to take it seriously.”

Low mood, anxiety and tearfulness are often indicators of depression but there can be other, more unusual signs.

Here, Dr Su Sukumaran, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at The London Psychiatry Centre reveals the warning signs all parents should be looking out for and what they can do to help.

SIGN#1: NEGATIVE TALK

A lack of self-esteem can be a symptom of depression.

Listen carefully to what your child is saying. Are they putting down their own talents?

– Helen Gilbert

Read more: Seven Red Flag Signs Your Child Could Be Depressed

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