Physicians Med Guide for Depression
Click here for a physicians' medication guide prepared by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). This guide addresses the FDA black box warning on antidepressants.
Article on depression in primary care:
Click here for an important article titled, "Diagnosis of Major Depression in the Primary Care Setting," written by Jodi DeVine, MSW, LICSW from our Western MA regional MCPAP.Depression
Action Signs*:
The list below outlines possible signs of depression. If a child is struggling with any combination of these symptoms for more than two weeks, a mental health professional should be contacted.
- Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or crying.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Lack of enthusiasm or motivation.
- Decreased energy level.
- Major changes in eating or sleeping habits.
- Increased irritability, agitation, anger or hostility.
- Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches.
- Indecision or inability to concentrate.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure.
- Pattern of dark images in drawings or paintings.
- Play that involves excessive aggression directed toward oneself or others, or involves persistently sad themes.
- Recurring thoughts or talk of death, suicide, or self-destructive behavior.
* The Action Signs Project Peter Jensen, MD et al, REACH Institute
Clinical Guidelines:
AAP Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): Treatment and Ongoing Management
Florida Best Practice Medication Guidelines 07: Depression Under 6 Years - Treatment Flowchart
Florida Best Practice Medication Guidelines 07: Adolescence Treatment Flowchart
Screening for Depression:
Pediatric Symptom Checklist and Pediatric Symptom Checklist – Youth Report (PSC and Y-PSC)- Screens for cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems
- 4-16 yrs
- 35 items
- Parent and youth complete questionnaires
- 5 - 10 minutes for parent/youth to complete, brief time for staff to score
- Free
- MassHealth-approved screen
- Link to PSC/Y - PSC
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
- Assesses postivie and negative attributes on five scales (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer problems, and social behavior)
- Emotional symptoms scale addresses depressive and anxiety symptoms
- Self-report for adolescents, ages 11-17 yrs; teacher and parent versions, ages 4-10 years and 11-17 years
- Available in 46 languages
- 5-15 minutes to complete
- Free
- Link to website
Rating Scales, Diagnosis, and Evaluation:
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)- Tool specific to depression; scores each of the nine DSM-IV criteria
- 18+ yrs
- Available in 16 languages
- 5 minutes for youth to complete; brief time for staff to score
- MassHealth-Approved
- Useful for diagnosis and tracking response to treatment
- Free
- Link to diagnostic tool
Columbia DISC Depression Scale (Teen and Parent Version)
- Covers all major mental health diagnoses; teen scale covers suicide ideation
- Ages 11 years and over
- Parent report: 22 yes/no questions; teen report: 22 yes/no questions
- About 5 minutes for teen to complete; about 5 minutes for parent to complete; brief time for staff to score
- Free
- Link to teen and parent screen
Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS)
- Diagnoses and monitors severity of depression in adolescents
- 6 items
- Less than 5 minutes for youth to complete
- Free with permission
- Link to diagnostic tool
Parent Information and Handouts
Medication Guide for Treating Depression
AACAP Facts for Families: The Depressed Child
AAP Depression and Suicide Web Page
This site contains brochures, fact sheets, and quick facts regarding depression and suicide
American Family Physician: What to Do If You Think Your Child Is Depressed
For extensive family information including parent guides visit the Families for Depression Awareness at www.familyaware.org
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Depression Resource Center