• Family history of depression (especially if a parent experienced depression as a patient or adolescent
• Excessive stress
• Abuse or neglect
• Trauma (physical and/or emotional)
• Other psychiatric disorders
• Loss of a parent, caregiver, or other loved one
• Loss of a relationship (moving away, loss of boyfriend/girlfriend)
• Other chronic illnesses
• Other developmental, learning, or conduct disorders

The symptoms of major depression have been found more frequently in patients who show these risk factors.

Symptoms:

• Restlessness, excessive crying
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or excessive guilt
• Increased irritability or agitation
• Persistent self-blame
• Low self-esteem, frequently expressed through self-deprecating and negative talk
• Loss of interest or pleasure in people and activities
• Change in appetite: weight loss or weight gain
• Lack of energy, fatigue
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
• Sleep problems: sleeping more or less
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or suicide attempts 
• Missed school or poor school performance
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse