A depressive episode in a young child often manifests as somatic complaints and agitated behaviour. Depressed children may have normal sleep and appetite. Children often refer to depressive feelings in terms of anger, or feeling βmadβ rather than sad.
Negativistic behaviour, anger, truancy, impulsivity and alcohol or illicit substance use can develop secondary to a depressive episode.
The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES–DC) is a self-report measure to assess for depressive symptoms in children.
Take a depression screening test or your child, instant results.
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