Puberty and depression.
Unipolar depression only becomes more common in girls than boys after the age of 13, as a result of an increased incidence of depressive episodes in girls at that time. This article reviews evidence that links multiple dimensions of maturation in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis with this phenomenon. Effects of developmental status and timing have been implicated, but few studies have deployed either the measurement strategies or the statistical power needed to provide a satisfactory answer to the question regarding which components of puberty are most responsible.
Angold
Adrian
A
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Developmental Epidemiology, Duke University Medical Center, Brightleaf Square, Suite 22, 905 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Adrian.angold@duke.edu
Costello
E Jane
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone