Depression Health Article

Depression

An emotional state or mood characterized by one or more of these symptoms: sad mood, low energy, poor concentration, sleep or appetite changes, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide.

Until recently, it was thought that children and adolescents could not suffer from clinical depression. It was assumed that children were not physically or psychologically mature enough to develop symptoms of depression and that adolescents with mood difficulties were simply going through "growing pains." However, several investigations have shown that if appropriately evaluated, children and adolescents do suffer from depression. We will refer to clinical depression that presents with severe symptoms as major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression that has moderate, chronic symptoms as dysthymic disorder (see below for specific criteria). Depression is relatively common; the prevalence (number of cases in one year) of MDD and dysthymic disorder combined is approximately 2% for children and 6% for adolescents.

Clinical features

Every child and adolescent can be occasionally and appropriately sad. However depression is more than just having a sad mood for a while. Children and adolescents with depression have a pervasive change in mood as well as a number of other clinical characteristics. There are four types of depression that child psychiatrists diagnose in children and adolescents: major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and bipolar depression. Bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depressive illness) is another type of mood disorder consisting of periods of mania and depression. The diagnostic criteria and clinical presentation of the depressed phase of bipolar disorders is similar to that of MDD.

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

MDD is the most severe form of depression and has the most prominent clinical symptoms. Symptoms of MDD include:

1. persistent depressed or irritable mood most of the day (easily annoyed, angry, sad, anxious, hopeless; sometimes described as not having any emotion)
2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities (not able to enjoy activities that were previously fun, easily bored, sits around and does not do much)
3. significant weight loss or gain
4. sleep disturbance (trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping more than usual)
5. psychomotor retardation (appearing to have slowed-down thinking and movements) or agitation (new onset of restless activity, pacing, unable to stay still)
6. fatigue or loss of energy (frequent complaints of feeling tired or having to push hard to do usual activities)
7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt (very self-critical, blaming self for minor transgressions)
8. difficulty concentrating (distractible, unable to focus on challenging tasks, forgetful, indecisiveness)
9. thoughts of death or suicide, or attempting suicide

According to the American Psychiatric Association, to be diagnosed with MDD, the child or adolescent must have at least five of the above symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks, and one of those symptoms must be either: (1) depressed or irritable mood; or (2) loss of interest and pleasure. These symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and produce impairment in relationships with others or in performance of usual activities. The symptoms and change in mood cannot be attributed to abuse of drugs, use of medications, certain severe psychiatric illnesses, bereavement, or medical illness.

Overall, the clinical picture of childhood MDD parallels the symptoms of adult MDD, with some minor differences. In children, symptoms of anxiety (including phobias and trouble separating from caretakers), physi cal complaints, and behavioral problems seem to occur more frequently. Adolescents tend to have more sleep and appetite disturbances, psychosis (hallucinations or delusions), and impairment of functioning than younger children. In addition, the incidence and severity of suicide attempts increase after puberty.