title: Depressive disorders in childhood and adolescence: an overview: epidemiology, clinical manifestation and risk factors.
abstract: The diagnostic category of depressive disorder in pediatric age is a relatively new concept that is rooted in empirical studies that date back to only the late 1980s. This article discusses the current consensus nosology and epidemiology of unipolar depressive disorders in young age and the risk factors for depression onset and recurrence. There is also a brief overview of psychosocial and pharmacologic evidence-based therapies and suggested areas for future research. This article also contains a brief description of the items discussed in detail in this issue.
authors.affiliation: Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zalsman
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brent
authors.forename: V Robin
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Weersing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012922:Social Change