CONDITIONS WE TREAT

Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause persistent feelings of deep sadness, emptiness, low energy, and/or loss of interest in activities once found enjoyable. In children and young adults, it can show up as irritability, withdrawal from activities of daily living, trouble sleeping, excessive sleeping, or poor focus. Depression affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and can interfere with school, relationships, and self-esteem. While depression can share core symptoms across all age groups, it often appears different depending on an individual’s developmental stage, life circumstances, and other co-occurring conditions.

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3% of children aged 3‑17 years old experience depression.

Our whole-child method examines all factors that contribute to each child’s depression.

Source

Signs and symptoms of depression in children

Depression in children and adolescents can show itself through a range of symptoms that differ for each developmental stage. Here’s a breakdown of how depression can appear in different age groups under 26.

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Early childhood (under 8 years old)

Frequent sadness, crying, tearfulness
Irritability, crankiness, mood swings that are often mistaken as "bad behavior"
Feelings of being unloved, unwanted, or "bad"
Loss of interest in toys or activities usually enjoyed
Regressive behaviors
Slower language and social development
Difficulty separating from parents

Children (ages 8-12)

Irritability, frequent crying
Clinginess or separation anxiety
Physical complaints without a clear cause (e.g., stomachaches, headaches)
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Poor concentration and trouble at school
Loss of interest in play or friends

Adolescents (ages 13-18)

Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Changes in appetite or weight
Fatigue or lack of energy
Feeling worthless or excessively guilty
Thoughts of death or suicide

Young adults (ages 18-26)

Low mood, hopelessness, loss of interest
Struggles with independence, career uncertainty, and relationships
Increased risk of substance use as a coping mechanism
Social isolation or dropping out of school/work

THE BLACKBIRD HEALTH DIFFERENCE

“We know that children very rarely have depression without also experiencing anxiety. And when a child has anxiety long enough, it leads to depression. Our approach to mental health in children is based on understanding all the symptoms and co-conditions of depression first so we can treat the root cause.”

—Amy Edgar, Blackbird Health Founder, APRN, CRNP, FNP-C

Diagnosis and understanding

Because depression doesn’t usually appear in isolation—it frequently exists alongside other mental health conditions—treating depression alone may not lead to lasting improvement unless other co-occurring conditions are addressed. At Blackbird Health, we consider a wide range of biological, psychological, social, and even environmental factors to understand the full picture. Our thorough, integrated treatment plans are designed to effectively address depression and all of its related conditions.

Factors we consider

Developmental
Cognitive
Behavioral
Physical
Genetic
Psychosocial
GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scoring
Frequency and duration of symptoms
Interference/Impact on daily life

Treatments
and goals

Blackbird Health customizes treatment plans for depression in children, adolescents, and young adults based on their age, developmental stage, symptom severity, co-occurring conditions, and family environment.

Here are some of the most common and evidence-based treatment options across these age groups.