A depressed child can be sad and have the adult hallmark symptoms of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness. Depressed children, however, are often irritable, impossible to please, and moody, swinging from great sadness to sudden anger.
Depression is most likely due to an inherited predisposition to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Effective treatments include medication and cognitive behavior therapy. His parents separated when he was six. Alex's teacher reports that he is in danger of failing, that he becomes preoccupied, often staring out the window, and seldom finishes his work. Alex has stated that the other children in the class are much smarter than he is. He seldom attends Boy Scout meetings or plays baseball, which he used to enjoy.