Given the association between low self-esteem and depression risk, people sometimes question whether or not depression and self-esteem are similar concepts. While low self-esteem is a risk factor for depression, this does not mean that the two are the same. Show Both self-esteem and depression are thought to work on a sort of continuum, or scale, ranging from high to low self-esteem, and no depressive symptoms to debilitating depressive symptoms. OverviewSelf-esteem is the way you view yourself—flaws, positive characteristics, and all. It's developed by your experiences, thoughts, feelings, and relationships. If your child has low self-esteem, they will generally view themselves as highly flawed, think little of their own ideas and opinions, and worry that they are not good enough. They also might struggle to accept positive feedback and see others as better than they are. Depression is much more than just feeling sad. It saps your energy, makes everyday activities difficult, and interferes with eating and sleeping patterns. Psychotherapy and/or medication are effective in treating depression. There are several types of depressive disorders, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), psychotic depression, postpartum depression (PPD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SimilaritiesLow self-esteem and depression share many of the same signs and symptoms, including:
DifferencesDespite the obvious similarities between low self-esteem and depression, research supports the view that they are, in fact, separate and different concepts. According to experts, it is more likely that low self-esteem is a risk factor for depression in children, as opposed to being one and the same. Another difference is that some kids will try to compensate for their low self-esteem by trying to please others and be accepted. In these cases, kids might excel in academics and behave well. Most kids with significant depression will suffer noticeable changes in behavior and academic performance as well as a loss of interest in social activities and appearance. The warning signs of self-esteem issues include:
If your teen has depression, they may experience all of these signs of low self-esteem as well as the following red flags:
Boosting Your Child's Self-EsteemThere are some small but significant steps parents and caregivers can take to help build a healthy sense of self-esteem in their child:
Get Advice From The Verywell Mind PodcastHosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how you can be kinder to yourself.
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Google Podcasts Preventing and Treating DepressionA child with low self-esteem may be at risk for a depressive episode, but their self-esteem concerns don't necessarily mean they are currently depressed. For both symptoms of self-esteem and depression, early identification is extremely important, especially for children. A proper diagnosis and preventative treatment can reduce the severity of a child's course of depression. If your child shows signs of low self-esteem or depression, talk to their pediatrician or other mental health professionals for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options. While many parents fear heavy-duty medication, depression treatment for children most often involves talk therapy, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help them identify and change unhealthy thought patterns that contribute to poor self-esteem and depression. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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