Identifying Depression and Suicidal Behavior in Young People

While the term "depression" can be used to refer to sad mood, clinical depression is more than just feeling blue or down. Children who are clinically depressed feel down, sad, or hopeless all the time, for weeks on end. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), in order to meet criteria for Major Depressive Episode, an individual must experience five or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:

• Depressed or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day
• Disinterest in things once enjoyed
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
• Significant weight loss or gain, change in appetite, or failure to make expected weight gains
• Difficulty thinking, including inability to concentrate while reading or even watching television
• Being observably agitated or slowed down
• Feeling worthless or overly guilty
• Talks about death or suicide

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