Understanding childhood depression.
Major depressive disorder in children is a severe and a chronically disabling disorder. This population appears to be a special group in terms of consequences of poor psychosocial and academic outcome and increased risk of substance abuse, and suicide. Studies have revealed several major findings in genetic, familial, psychological, and biological aspects of such depression, some of which have explored into the issue of its relationship with adult depression. Considerable advances have been made now in the area of childhood depression providing a better understanding of its nature. We review literature available on historical aspect, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and aetiology of childhood depression.
Malhotra
Savita
S
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. savita.pgi@gmail.com
Das
Partha Pratim
PP
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology
D013006:Growth Hormone