Article on depression in primary care:
Click here for an important article entitled, "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