Depression at every age

Children may be anxious or cranky, pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die.

Older children and teens may get into trouble at school, sulk, or be easily frustrated. They may sleep or eat more, and are more likely to also struggle with anxiety or substance use.

Young adults with depression are more likely to be irritable and to have a negative view of life and the future.

Middle-aged adults with depression may have more frequent episodes, lower interest in sex, and sleep problems such as waking very early in the morning.

Older adults may feel sadness or grief, or less obvious symptoms. Some say they feel a lack of emotion rather than sadness.

A child may

• Be anxious or cranky much of the time
• Cling to a parent
• Complain of feeling sick, or pretend to be sick
• Refuse to go to school
• Worry that a parent may die

Every child has grumpy days. What matters is a change that hangs on for weeks and gets in the way of play, friends, school or family life.

Ideas

• Keep simple routines for sleep, meals and play
• Make time each day for one-on-one attention, even ten minutes
• Name feelings out loud: “You seem sad today. I’m here.”
• Share what you notice with your child’s doctor or school counselor
• Stay active together, like a walk or a game outside

A pediatrician or family doctor can check for physical causes and refer you to a child mental health professional.

Signs can include

• Being easily frustrated, irritable or angry
• Changes in eating or sleeping
• Falling grades or skipping school
• Feeling sad, worthless or “empty”
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• Pulling away from friends and family
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Tiredness or trouble remembering

Depression looks different for everyone. Some teens have many of these signs, others just a few.

Things that help

• Ask a doctor about getting help
• Keep a regular sleep schedule and eat regular meals
• Spend time with friends or family, even when you don’t feel like it
• Stay active, even with a simple walk
• Talk to a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher or school counselor

Irritability and pulling away can look like “typical teen behaviour”. If it lasts for weeks, or school, friendships or sleep are slipping, it is worth a calm conversation and a check-up.

Ways to open the door

• Choose side-by-side moments, like a drive or a walk
• Ask open questions and listen more than you talk
• Say what you’ve noticed, without blame
• Take any talk of self-harm or suicide seriously, and get help the same day

In a national CDC survey, the share of U.S. high school students who felt persistently sad or hopeless fell from 40% in 2023 to 33% in 2025. That is still a lot of young people, but it shows things can change.

Young adults with depression are more likely to be irritable and to see life and the future in a negative way. It can be easy to mistake this for stress or “just figuring things out”.

You might notice

• Dropping classes, shifts or plans
• Feeling like everyone else has it together
• Sleeping at odd hours
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

If you are a student, the campus counseling center and student support services are good places to start. Ask for extensions early, before you fall far behind.

Hard experiences can trigger depression, especially when they pile up. Job loss, money problems, divorce, illness and caring for others can all raise the risk.

Waking very early and being unable to fall back asleep is a common sign of depression. Those early hours can feel like the hardest of the day.

It can look like

• Anger, irritability or aggression
• Drinking more or using drugs
• Headaches, aches or stomach problems with no clear cause
• Problems at work, at home or with friends
• Taking risks
• Working all the time or “keeping busy” to avoid feelings

Men are more likely to report physical symptoms. Talking to a doctor about sleep, energy or aches can be an easier way to start. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it can be.

Ideas

• Book a check-up and mention mood as well as body
• Talk side by side, like on a walk, a drive or while fixing something
• Try a practical, goal-focused therapy like CBT

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS. In the weeks before a period it can bring depressed mood, irritability and even thoughts of suicide, which ease once the period starts.

Depression can happen during pregnancy or in the months after giving birth. It often brings strong sadness, worry and exhaustion that make it hard to care for yourself or your baby. Most episodes start within 4 to 8 weeks after birth.

The “baby blues” are mild mood swings and tiredness in the first two weeks after birth. If feelings are strong or last longer than two weeks, it may be depression. It is not caused by anything a mother did or didn’t do, and it is treatable.

Some women develop depression during the move toward menopause. Intense irritability, anxiety, sadness or loss of enjoyment may be signs of depression, beyond the usual symptoms of menopause.

Hard life events, such as abuse, loss, money problems and big changes, raise the risk of depression. Many women also carry heavy caring roles at home and at work.

In older adults, depression may look less like sadness and more like a lack of feeling, or trouble with memory and thinking. Many people think low mood is just part of ageing, or feel ashamed to mention it.

Things that can get in the way

• Cost, transport or a lack of local services
• Not realising treatment could help
• Stigma about mental health
• Symptoms mistaken for physical illness

Depression is more common in older adults who have health problems such as heart disease or cancer, sleep problems, or limits on what they can do day to day. Half of older adults have two or more health conditions, and having more than one raises the risk.

Ways to help

• Ask what support they need
• Gently encourage them to talk to their clinical provider
• Invite them for walks or other activities together
• Keep up regular visits and calls
• Offer to go to an appointment with them

Keep days predictable, give one-on-one time, and name feelings gently. Share what you notice with their doctor or school counselor.

Teens often open up side by side, not face to face. Encourage sleep, movement and time with friends, and help them reach a doctor or counselor.

Offer support, patience and encouragement. Help them find and keep appointments, and keep inviting them, kindly, even when they say no.

Offer to go to an appointment with them, and join them for walks or other activity. Ask what support they need.

Good places to start

• Children: a pediatrician, family doctor or school counselor
• Older adults: a primary care provider, with a family member along if they like
• Teens: a parent, teacher, school counselor or doctor
• Young adults: campus counseling, a doctor or an employee assistance program
• Women during pregnancy or after birth: an obstetrician, midwife or primary care provider

FindTreatment.gov, run by SAMHSA, is a confidential tool for finding mental health services near you. NIMH also points people there.

Find A Helpline (findahelpline.com) lists free, confidential helplines by country, by phone, text or chat, including services for young people. The International Association for Suicide Prevention partners with its creators to share it. If someone is in danger, call your local emergency number.