ABSTRACT
Depression in childhood or adolescence is a particularly distressing experience for both the young person and other family members, particularly parents. This is illustrated by the case presented in Box 16.1. Unfortunately, the outcome for depression in childhood and adolescence is not favourable. Available evidence suggests that while the majority of youngsters recover from a depressive episode within a year, they do not grow out of their mood disorder (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1998c; Goodyer, 2001a; Hammen & Rudolph, 2003; Harrington, 2002; Park & Goodyer, 2000). Major depression is a recurrent condition and depressed youngsters are more likely than their non-depressed counterparts to develop episodes of depression as adults, although they are no more likely to develop other types of psychological problems. Double depression, that is an ongoing persistent mood disorder (dysthymia) and an episodic major depressive condition, severe depressive symptoms, maternal depression, co-morbid conduct or drug abuse, family problems and social adversity have all been shown in longitudinal studies to be predictive of worse outcome.
