ABSTRACT
It is not uncommon to hear an adult describe a child, or maybe more commonly an adolescent, as “moody” or “irritable.” While in many cases this may be a simple fluctuation in mood, for other youth this may highlight ongoing and sometimes serious problems. Professionals have historically viewed depression and mood disorders within the context of adulthood. In fact, some believed that children did not have the cognitive capacities to be depressed or that depression was a normal part of growing up. However, more recent reports have suggested that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Dysthymic Disorder (DD) are more common in childhood and adolescence than once was thought (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry [AACAP], 1998). Lifetime prevalence rates for 15- to 18-year-olds have been reported to be about 14%, with an additional 11% estimated to have a lifetime history of minor depression (Kessler & Walters, 1998). In adolescents, Depression is often associated with comorbid diagnoses and symptoms, such as an increased risk for substance abuse and a higher risk of suicide (AACAP, 1998). Although the prevalence of Depression before puberty is not well established, some estimates suggest as many as 2% of children may experience depression at a given time. However, many of these children are seen as being disruptive or a behavioral problem rather than depressed (Evans & Andrews, 2005).
