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.
Warning Signs
Not everyone with depression has every symptom. If several of these last most of the day, nearly every day, for 2 weeks or more, talk with a health care provider.
Warning signs of suicide
Get help as soon as possible, especially if a behavior is new or has increased. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Talking about
- Wanting to die
- Great guilt or shame
- Being a burden to others
Feeling
- Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
- Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
- Unbearable emotional or physical pain
Changing behavior
- Making a plan or researching ways to die
- Withdrawing, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
- Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
- Extreme mood swings
- Eating or sleeping more or less
- Using drugs or alcohol more often
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Warning signs of suicide
Common signs
Signs and symptoms of depression
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feeling hopeless or pessimistic
- Irritability, frustration, or restlessness
- Guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Tiredness, low energy, or feeling slowed down
- Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping, waking too early, or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or stomach problems without a clear physical cause
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Other changes
Changes in mood or behavior
- More anger or irritability
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
- More risky or impulsive behavior
- Drinking or using drugs more
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Not keeping up with work, school, or home responsibilities
Some people notice physical problems first, such as a racing heart, a tight chest, ongoing headaches, or digestive problems.
Different ages, different signs
Depression does not look the same in everyone
Older children and teens
May get into trouble at school, sulk, be easily frustrated, feel restless, or have low self-esteem. They are also more likely to sleep too much and eat more.
Young adults
More likely to be irritable, sleep a lot, gain weight, and have a negative view of life and the future.
Middle-aged adults
May have more depressive episodes, lower sex drive, middle-of-the-night or early morning waking, or stomach problems.
Older adults
May report a lack of feeling rather than sadness, and often have other illnesses or pain. Memory and thinking problems can stand out in severe cases.
Men
May seem angry or irritable rather than sad, notice physical symptoms first, or use alcohol or drugs to cope.
Next step
Noticed some of these signs?
A health care provider can check for other causes, such as thyroid problems or medicine side effects, and talk through treatment.