Pediatric depression and psychopharmacology

Children can and do have depression which is similar to and continuous with that in adults. It can be diagnosed and treated similarly. Clinical evaluation reveals depression and laboratory tests are not required. It may be comorbid with other psychiatric or physical disorders. It causes considerable distress and impairment and suicide can be one serious sequel. Relapse or recurrences can occur. Etiology of depression is uncertain though hypotheses of psychogenesis or biogenesis exists. Psycho-pharmacological advances have helped in understanding etiology of depression and also in its effective treatment. So far, fluoxetine in the only antidepressant shown to be effective though others are also used. Antidepressants need to be given for one year or more.