There were warning signs that my son exhibited from a very young age, warning signs that I pointed out to the doctors over time and tried desperately to get them to look closer. If you look in any of the professional publications about the signs of a child who is being bullied, symptoms of depression, and adverse effects to medications such as antidepressants, you would find the following:
*crying and/or emotional outbursts for no apparent reason
*not wanting to go to school - appears nervous, angry, or sick (includes vomiting)
*stomach problems such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea that seem worse before or after an event (such as school)*lack of close friends
*picking at self/biting nails enough to cause harm
*headaches - even severe enough to be migraines which includes vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound
*grades plummet, attention deteriorates
*expresses feelings of self-doubt, paranoia or feelings of persecution by others, including teachers
*anger
*cutting oneself or harming oneself in ways that leave marks and/or scars
*attempting suicide; suicidal ideations
*feelings of hopelessness
All of these things were exhibited by my son from the age of 10, and all of them were brought up to school officials, teachers, school nurses, and family physicians. Every time, we were told that the vomiting was probably a virus, the headaches were part of the virus (but were later allowed further treatment as migraines), and the other issues were decided by a school counselor to be "in reaction to the death of his dog".
For more information on the warning signs, check out the following links: http://www.teensuicide.us/
http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Teen+Suicide§ion=Facts+for+Families
http://www.yspp.org/about_suicide/warning_signs.htm
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/teens.asp
