ABSTRACT
The purpose of thi s chapter is to review the syndrome of Major Depress ive Disorder (MOD) in children. The syndrome will be reviewed specifically according to diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and more generally with respect to phenomenology. MOD during childhood is an example of a di sorder that usually is observed during adulthood but that may have an onset during earlier life as well. In thi s respect, Childhood-onset Major Depressive Disorder (COMDD) may be considered an example of a less common childhood disorder by DSM-IY criteria.
