While moodiness and “the blues” are common and relatively short lived, depression is a long lasting condition that can have a serious impact on school performance. 

Distinguishing depression from teenage ‘angst’ depends on knowing what behaviours and symptoms to look for.  Children and adolescents who are depressed often have difficulty concentrating and seem not to be paying attention in class.  This is sometimes mistaken for willful behaviour or boredom.  Yet it is often a symptom of depression, especially when combined with other behaviours such as tearfulness, irritability, and loss of interest in extracurricular activities like sports.

It is only when these feelings become chronic or start to interfere with a person’s enjoyment of life that they are considered to be abnormal and may signal the development of the more serious condition, depression, requiring intervention by mental health professionals.