Zeitschrift für Depression und Angst
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Abstrakt

Diagnosis for Depression in Childhood and Adolescence

Nevada Roy

Depression is a mental illness characterised by persistent sadness or irritability, as well of physical and mental signs and symptoms, including fatigue, apathy, sleep problems, loss of appetite, disengagement; low self-esteem or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Depression in childhood and adolescence is similar to adult major depressive illness, except young people may experience increased irritability or behavioural dyscontrol rather than the more frequent sad, empty, or hopeless feelings that adults experience. Children who are stressed, grieving, or who suffer from attention, learning, behavioural, or anxiety difficulties are more likely to develop depression. Outside of other mood disorders, childhood depression is frequently associated with mental problems, the most common of which are anxiety disorder and conduct disorder.