Depression Test for Children
(and Teenagers)

The Depression Test for Children is a 20-item self-report depression test measuring the severity of depression symptoms.

For whom is the test designed?

This depression test is intended for screening of children and teenagers. Parents may use it to check their children's depression as well.

What precautions should I take?

Screening for depression is complex. Further evaluation is required for children and adolescents displaying higher score. The test used to be administered by a clinician experienced in working with psychiatric patients because of the the difficulty of the interpretation of clinical terms.

Can you help me?

We rewrote and commented the original text to help you interpreting the terms and getting more accurate choice, thus more exact score.

Just tick the answer, what you think being the most descriptive for your case. Choose only one for each title (there is no chance to select more than one, anyway). If none of them is really adequate, choose the nearest one.

After answering all the questions, hit the 'Score Me' button. A new window will open with your score and result. Form Requirements: Javascript must be on for this form to work correctly (in the options or preferences section of your browser).

But don't forget: don't rely on the result obtained.

If you have problems with the test do not hesitate to contact us.

Depression Test for Children

DURING THE PAST WEEK:

1. I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me.
(I was worrying, I was disturbed or I was upset but I don't really understand why.)

2. I did not feel like eating, I wasn't very hungry.

3. I wasn't able to feel happy, even when my family or friends tried to help me feel better.
(My mood was always bad, I was down.)

4. I felt like I was worse than the other kids.

5. I felt like I couldn't pay attention to what I was doing.

6. I felt down and unhappy.

7. I felt like I was too tired to do things.

8. I felt like something good was going to happen.

9. I felt like things I did before didn't work out right.

10. I felt scared.

11. I didn't sleep as well as I usually do.

12. I was happy.

13. I was more quiet than usual.

14. I felt lonely, like I didn't have any friends.

15. I felt like kids I know were not friendly or that they didn't want to be with me.

16. I had a good time.

17. I felt like crying.

18. I felt sad.

19. I felt people didn't like me.

20. It was hard to get started doing things.

References:

Weissman MM, Orvaschel H, Padian N. 1980. Children’s symptom and social functioning selfreport scales: Comparison of mothers’ and children’s reports. Journal of Nervous Mental Disorders 168(12):736–740.

Faulstich ME, Carey MP, Ruggiero L, et al. 1986. Assessment of depression in childhood and adolescence: An evaluation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). American Journal of Psychiatry
143(8):1024–1027.

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This site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. If you feel that you have a health problem, you should seek the advice of your Physician or health care Practitioner.

Depression Test for Children (and Teenagers)