Publicity around the latter has made the public aware of the importance of helping children cope with such events. But according to Sara Lubbers, counselor at Oregon's Netherwood Knoll School, any loss or change can cause your child to become sad, anxious or depressed. The death of a pet naturally arouses sad feelings, but if prolonged behavior changes follow, the child may be depressed. She points out that even positive changes, like a family move for career advancement, better schools or a larger home may lead to depression. Obvious changes in mood and personality, or changes in social patterns, such as social withdrawal or uncharacteristic hostility to peers, can be tip-offs, as well as loss of interest in activities he normally enjoys.
Unusual tiredness can also be a sign of depression.
This is sometimes accompanied or caused by sleep disturbances such as insomnia and nightmares, which demonstrate that the child is dealing with fear or anxiety. But something is wrong if an adolescent sleeps deeply for several hours after school each day or requires twelve hours of sleep a night. He might be depressed or he might have a serious physical ailment. Drug abuse should be considered as well. Drastic changes in eating habits or significant fluctuations in weight can also flag depression, as well as excessive or inappropriate guilt and difficulty in concentrating, thinking or making decisions.