Your Concerns about Sadness/Irritability

You said that your child sometimes seems sad or irritable. You said that this is very different from how your child usually feels. Your child may be less interested in things that s/he used to find fun. S/he may also feel bad about him/herself. You said that you and/or other adults are concerned about this. All children are sad from time to time, but your child is sad more often than other children.

You said your child has one or more of the following problems:

• Feels sad or irritable
• Crying
• Doesn't want to do things s/he used to enjoy
• Eats too much or too little
• Problems falling asleep or waking up too early
• Has too little or too much energy
• Feels worthless
• Has little or no hope
• Can't stay on task
• Feels bad him/herself
• Says his/her head or stomach hurts

You may also notice some of the following changes in how your child acts:

• Very afraid of new things
• Wetting the bed
• More temper tantrums
• Nightmares
• Doesn't want to be with other children
• Is "clingy" with parents or caregivers

Warning Signs that things are getting worse

• Your child thinks a lot about death.
• Your child has thoughts of harming or killing him/herself or a plan to do so.
• Your child often feels worthless.
• Your child is sad or irritable a lot of the time.

If you think these problems are getting worse talk to your child's doctor, even if you have discussed these things before.

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Facts for Families© series (1997) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996) .