In everyday CBT practice, reflection on depression symptoms is easier when physical sensations, thoughts, emotions and behaviours can be separated clearly. The worksheet gives a simple four-column format for noticing what depression looks like for one person, rather than relying on a general checklist.
This Depressive Symptoms Worksheet for CBT Reflection PDF is a printable tool for exploring how depression may show up across the body, mind, feelings and daily behaviour in a calm, organised way. Instead of asking someone to tick a fixed list, it encourages personal reflection using four clear categories: physiological, cognitive, affective and behavioural.
The worksheet can be used in CBT sessions, counselling appointments, wellbeing support, mental health education or home learning where a person is trying to understand patterns in low mood. It includes examples such as changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, negative self-talk, hopelessness, sadness, withdrawal and avoiding usual activities, then leaves space for the user to add their own experiences.
Practitioners may use the sheet as a starter activity for discussion, a gentle prompt during one-to-one work, or a printable record to revisit over time. It may also help older teenagers and adults prepare for a support conversation by putting difficult experiences into words before they speak about them.
Download and print the worksheet for use in lessons, therapy planning, reflection tasks or personal wellbeing folders. It offers a structured way to notice warning signs, compare different symptom areas and start a more focused conversation about what support may be needed.
