title: Physical complaints in girls with major depression--a controlled study.
abstract: Major depression is a frequent affective disorder in young adolescents. Patients do not only suffer from severe psychological but also from physical impairments. Aim of the present study is a description of physical complaints in girls with major depression. Seventy-three patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for major depression were compared to 72 controls. Physical complaints were assessed by a standardised and validated German questionnaire (Giessen Scale of Physical Complaints in Children and Adolescents). Patients reported significantly more complaints, in particular exhaustion and circulation problems. Physical problems are more likely to be a consequence rather than a cause of depression. Treatment of adolescents׳ depression should consider coping with body dysfunction during depressive episodes.
authors.affiliation: University of Trier, Department of Clinical and Physiological Psychology, 54286 Trier, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: University of Trier, Department of Clinical and Physiological Psychology, 54286 Trier, Germany. Electronic address: laessle@uni-trier.de.
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laessle
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment
keywords: Adolescents; Major depression; Physical complaints