Signs at school A young person experiencing depression may show the following signs in school: – Decline in grades – Being absent or arriving late more often – Engaging less in classroom discussions, or appearing to struggle to understand or communicate – Struggling to work effectively throughout the day, particularly in the morning – Being more irritable and snappier with peers – Avoiding contact with peers and spending more time alone at lunch and breaks – Engaging in risk-taking behaviour, displaying unsafe behaviours such as alcohol or drug misuse In many pre-adolescents the signs of depression may be different. They may exhibit the following: – Crying more than usual – Being more attached to their family members or peers than usual – Regression in terms of toileting, or ability to complete simple tasks – Complaining of a “headache in their tummy” or feeling sick
Page 217
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker