For a long time it was believed that children and adolescents were not affected by depression. However, today we know that they are just as sensitive to the disorder as adults and that it greatly interferes in their daily school and social lives.

Children and adolescents who suffer with depression tend to be sad, unmotivated and lonely. Irritability and instability are also perceived in their moods. These children can have sudden mood swings with angry outbursts and many times they are involved in fights in school or during sports.

The child can show difficulty in having fun and say he or she is bored, that there is nothing to do, and also avoid contact with other children by giving preference to solitary activities. The behavioral changes of a child who once mingled with his or her peers and then became isolated in the classroom or during break are warning signs for the educators. Low grades are almost always a consequence of the disorder because depressed children have trouble concentrating in class, lose interest in activities, lack motivation and become slow thinkers. Thus, their report cards reflect the disorder.

Complaints such as tiredness, lack of energy, headaches or stomachaches are common. In many cases there is insomnia, worrying, guilt trips and low self-esteem.

Recurring thoughts of death, suicidal ideas and plans can be seen in all ages and attempts of suicide tend to be more common among adolescents. High-risk behavior is common during teenagers; however, it can escalate during depressive episodes, such as the engagement of promiscuous and unprotected sex and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

It is not fully known what causes depression. However, it is believed that genetics associated with biochemical and environmental factors are connected to the disorder.

Another important factor that is capable of triggering depressive episodes is the nature of the domestic environment in which this adolescent lives. Teenagers who live in hostile, unstructured, stressful homes and deal with aggressive and/or negligent parents as well as orphans or children of separated parents are more likely to have episodes of depression.   Inversely proportional to that is the fact that positive family interaction can avoid depressive episodes during childhood and adolescence.