Parents usually are reluctant to accept this diagnosis. They feel that the cause has to be due to a family dysfunction. Primary care physicians often miss this diagnosis, focusing instead on the symptoms. The Children's Depressive Index (CDI) is a useful instrument for assessing children for depression. It offers a numeric value to the degree of depression. Symptoms of Childhood Depressive Disorder are listed in table # 5. Suicidal Ideation is frequently present, and needs to be addressed when depression is suspected. Introducing the subject of suicide has not been proven to be suggestive. Sleep disturbances, anhedonia, impaired school performance and somatic complaints, are among the depressive symptoms. There are common symptoms between Overanxious Disorder of Childhood and Childhood Depressive Disorder, which leads one to suspect a continuum between these conditions.
| SYMPTOMS of CHILDHOOD DEPRESSIVE DISORDER |
|---|
| Sleep disturbance Insomnia Hypersomnia Sleep latency, early morning wakening Somatic complaints Headaches Abdominal pain Chest pain Suicidal ideation or attempts Sheds tears easily Loss of interest Anhedonia Impaired school performance Spends more time alone Preoccupied with: death, dying, calamity |