The symptom picture of depression in children and adolescents is also confusing because they cannot express their feelings as directly as adults. Irritability is a key indicator. Children may seem easily frustrated, cranky or moody. Boys may simply appear unusually angry or sullen. Untreated, depression can be permanently devastating to children.
Depression is very tough on family members.
Usually there is not a dramatic change in personality but often a slow, insidious process which makes it difficult to recognize that something is really wrong. As friends or relatives, we may feel uncomfortable around the sufferer. Living with someone who is depressed can be one of the most helpless-feeling experiences there is. The person's problems do not respond to good advice or common sense. Sometimes out of frustration we get angry, and feel guilty afterward.