10/17/97

What are the symptoms of depression in children?

Q:  What are the symptoms of depression in children?  What is the best approach to get help?

A:  If your child exhibits symptoms for several weeks or longer in more than half the categories below, he or she may be depressed.  Consult your pediatrician.  Depression is a treatable illness.

• mood:  sad, lonely, unhappy, feelings of hopelessness, moody, irritable, easily annoyed, cries easily, hypersensitive, negative, hard to please
• self-deprecatory:  feels worthless, useless, dumb, stupid, ugly, guilty, expresses death wishes or suicidal thoughts, tries to harm self
• agitation:  difficult to get along with, quarrelsome, disrespectful, hostile, belligerent, excessive fighting
• sleep disturbance: insomnia or difficulty awakening
• change in school performance:  poor concentration, poor memory, daydreaming, loss of effort, loss of interest in nonacademic school activites, incomplete assignments, drop in grades, homework difficult
• diminished socialization:  less group participation, less friendly or outgoing, socially withdrawn, loss of social interests
• change in attitude toward school:  doesn't enjoy school activities, refuses to attend school
• somatic complaints:  nonmigraine headaches, stomach aches, muscle aches and pains, other bodily complaints
• loss of energy:  loss of interest in usual non-school pursuits, decreased mental or physical energy, fatigue
• change in appetite or weight:  anorexia or bulimia, unusual weight change

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