[Increasing depression in children and adolescents. Only early intervention can prevent dire outcome]

Numerous recent epidemiological studies indicate that depressive disorders in children and adolescents are quite common. Roughly 15% of adolescents admit to having suffered from such a disorder at some time or other. Depressive disorders increase with age with a preponderance of girls over boys. Risk factors that have been found to be associated with depressive disorders include parental psychopathology, familial dysfunction, and negative life events. Depression frequently occurs together with other disorders, and shows a tendency to become chronic. Finally the article discusses the implications of the latest findings for preventive and interventional strategies.