1. Home
  2. Parenting Children with Depression
  3. Is My Child Depressed?
  4. Using Depression Questionnaires

Using Depression Questionnaires by Rebecca Rutledge, Ph.D.

Questionnaires are another great way to get a handle on your child's symptoms. Some parents are overwhelmed by having to keep a calendar and lists, as well as trying to talk with the other adults involved with their children. Simple depression inventories might help to narrow the focus to the symptoms their child is experiencing.

Choate Depression Inventory for Children (CDIC)

An easy one to try is the Choate Depression Inventory for Children (CDIC). It isn't a standardized or formal test, merely an adaptation and expansion of other surveys and research studies. You'll notice that most of the statements begin with “I.” Parents can still look at it and answer how they think their child would respond based on what they have observed in their child.

Please circle True or False to the following statements based on what you have felt, thought, or done in the last 2–4 weeks (for parents, answer based on what you have observed or how you feel your child would respond).

<tgroup cols="3"> <colspec align="left" colname="col1" colnum="1" colsep="0" colwidth="20%"/> <colspec align="left" colname="col2" colnum="2" colsep="0" colwidth="20%"/> <colspec align="left" colname="col3" colnum="3" colsep="0" colwidth="60%"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>1. I feel sad lots of the time.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>2. I have trouble sleeping.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>3. I feel tired lots of the time.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>4. I don't have many friends.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>5. I cry a lot.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>6. I don't like to play with other kids.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>7. I'm not as hungry as I used to be.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>8. Other kids don't like me.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>9. I feel lonely a lot of the time.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>10. I have lots of stomachaches and headaches.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>11. I don't like school.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>12. I have bad dreams.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>13. Sometimes I think about hurting myself.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>14. I worry a lot.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>15. I don't like myself</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>16. Other kids have more fun than I do.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>17. I don't do as well in school as I used to.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>18. Sometimes I have trouble concentrating.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>19. I feel angry lots of the time.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>True</p></td> <td><p>False</p></td> <td><p>20. I get into lots of fights.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>Routinely, if you or your child answers “True” to three or more items, depression may be present, or it might be developing. If he answers “True” to the question about hurting himself, take that response seriously and take appropriate measures to make sure he is safe.</p> <div class="npsb"> <h2>Question?</h2> <p><B>Is a questionnaire enough to detect depression?</B></p> <p>Depression inventories and questionnaires are screening devices. They are not devised to answer all of the questions about your child's symptoms. They should be used as another method for gathering information. Using them alone may result in an inaccurate or missed diagnosis.</p> </div> <p>Use your common sense, though. A “True” response to some questions answered by your child may indicate temporary adjustment issues. For example, consider question sixteen. If your child is grounded, then naturally he is going to believe everyone else if having more fun than him. Or just because a “True” response is given to a question about liking school, you may have a child who has never loved school.</p> <h2>Questionnaires Are Not Foolproof</h2> <p>You may want to use this questionnaire as a starting place for the other adults and teachers with whom your child has contact. It may help them organize their thoughts such that you have useful information. The Choate Depression Inventory is by no means the only one available. There are other depression inventories listed in Appendix B, and they might be worth perusing to see if one fits your needs better than the others.</p> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/get-the-diagnosis-right.htm" title="Get the Diagnosis Right">Get the Diagnosis Right</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/psychotic-depression.htm" title="Psychotic Depression">Psychotic Depression</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/using-depression-questionnaires.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Using Depression Questionnaires - Parenting Children with Depression </a></li> <li><a href="http://depression.about.com/od/childhood/a/Childrens-Depression-Inventory.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) - Facts About the Childr... </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/parenting-the-depressed-child/developing-trust.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Developing Trust - Parenting Children with Depression </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/predictors-of-depression/comments.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Comments - Parenting Children with Depression </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/what-does-the-future-hold/prepare-for-developmental-changes.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Prepare for Developmental Changes - Parenting Children with Depression </a></li> </ul></div> <div id="sec"><div class="n5">Read More Is My Child Depressed?</div><ul><ul class="col1"><li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/a-look-at-the-depressed-child.htm">A Look at the Depressed Child</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/keep-a-calendar.htm">Keep a Calendar</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/glean-information-from-school-family-and-friends.htm">Glean Information from School, Family, and Friends</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/get-the-diagnosis-right.htm">Get the Diagnosis Right</a></li> </ul><ul class="col2"><li class="btO">Using Depression Questionnaires</li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/psychotic-depression.htm">Psychotic Depression</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/get-a-physical-exam.htm">Get a Physical Exam</a></li> </ul></ul></div> </div> <script>if(zSbL<1)zSbL=3;zSB(2);zSbL=0</script> </div> <div id="widgets"><script type="text/javascript">if(z336>0){w('<div id="adB">'+ap[0]+at[4]+as[0]);adunit('','','about.com',ch,gs,336,280,'1','bb',3);w('</div>')}if(z155>0){w('<div id="adP">'+ap[0]+at[4]+as[0]);adunit('','','about.com',ch,gs,336,155,'1','ps',4);w('</div>')}</script> <div id="pg" class="pane"><div class="n3">Shopping</div><div class="cntnr"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-parents-guide-to-children-with-depression"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/parenting-kids-with-depression/Cover.jpg"></a><h4><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-parents-guide-to-children-with-depression">THE EVERYTHING PARENT'S GUIDE TO CHILDREN WITH DEPRESSION</a></h4><p><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-parents-guide-to-children-with-depression">By Rebecca Rutledge, Ph.D.</a></p><div id="fp"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-parents-guide-to-children-with-depression">Buy This Book</a></div></div></div> <div id="toc" class="pane"><div class="n3">Parenting Children with Depression Sections</div><ul><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/getting-a-handle-on-childhood-depression/">Getting a Handle on Childhood Depression</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/causes-of-depression/">Causes of Depression</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/predictors-of-depression/">Predictors of Depression</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/">Is My Child Depressed?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/risk-factors/">Risk Factors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/depression-as-a-part-of-other-psychological-problems/">Depression as a Part of Other Psychological Problems</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/dysthymia-and-bipolar-disorder/">Dysthymia and Bipolar Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/depression-related-issues/">Depression-Related Issues</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/seeking-professional-help/">Seeking Professional Help</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/the-decision-to-undergo-treatment/">The Decision to Undergo Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/treatment-for-the-mind-body-and-soul/">Treatment for the Mind, Body, and Soul</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/strategies-for-children/">Strategies for Children</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/suicide-is-your-child-at-risk/">Suicide: Is Your Child at Risk?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/inpatient-treatment/">Inpatient Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/prevention/">Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/all-in-the-family/">All in the Family</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/parenting-the-depressed-child/">Parenting the Depressed Child</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/at-risk-parents-and-depression/">At-Risk Parents and Depression</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/school/">School</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/what-does-the-future-hold/">What Does the Future Hold?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/appendix-a-resources-on-childhood-and-adolescent-depression/">Resources on Childhood and Adolescent Depression</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/appendix-b-depression-questionnaires/">Depression Questionnaires</a></li> </ul></div></div> <script type="text/javascript">zCi();validateForms();</script> <div id="abf" style="padding-right:0"><ol class="crumbtrail"><li class="home"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/">Home</a></li><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/">Parenting Children with Depression</a></li><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-depression/is-my-child-depressed/">Is My Child Depressed?</a></li><li>Using Depression Questionnaires</li></ol></div> <div id="aboutinfo" class="hlist"><div id="morefrom"><h6>Visit other About.com sites:</h6><ul><li><a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/" rel="nofollow">Calorie Count</a></li><li><a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/" rel="nofollow">ConsumerSearch</a></li><li class="last"><a href="http://www.allexperts.com/" rel="nofollow">Allexperts.com</a></li></ul></div> <ul id="siteinfo"><li><a href="http://spiderbites.about.com/sitemap.htm">SiteMap</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/hc.htm" rel="nofollow">Help</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/mprivacy.htm" rel="nofollow">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/mprivacy.htm#adchoices" rel="nofollow">Your Ad Choices</a></li><li class="last"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/pform.htm" rel="nofollow">Contact Us</a></li></ul> <ul id="companyinfo"><li class="last"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/ " rel="nofollow">Buy Books</a></li></ul><div id="disclaimer"><p>Netplaces.com, a part of <a href="http://www.nytco.com/">The New York Times Company</a>.</p><p>All rights reserved.</p></div></div></div> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- zPxA[zPxC]=new Image();zPxA[zPxC++].src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6036459&c7=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2enetplaces%2ecom%2fparenting%2dkids%2dwith%2ddepression%2fis%2dmy%2dchild%2ddepressed%2fusing%2ddepression%2dquestionnaires%2ehtm&c8=Using%20Depression%20Questionnaires&c9=&cv=2.0&cj=1"; adclose() //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(){var po=document.createElement('script');po.type='text/javascript';po.async=true;po.src='https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js';var s=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(po,s)})();</script> </body></html>