Depression in children is often “disguised” by “active” behavior such as irritability, temper tantrums, violence, risky actions, and/ or refusal to go to school. It is also important to note that sometimes something as simple as sleep deprivation due to staying up too late can mimic depression.  If a better night time schedule and a nap or two usually clear things up, it wasn’t true depression.

Feelings (as identified by verbalizations)

• Feeling sad (cries, pouts, looks sad or troubled)
• Feeling hopeless about the future (says that nothing s/he does will make a difference, not caring about outcomes)
• Feeling poorly about oneself and one’s abilities (makes negative remarks about self, evaluates oneself poorly in contrast with others)
• Feeling responsible (blames self for past events and negative outcomes in the present)
• Feeling alone (expresses that no one likes him or her, says that no one understands)