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Depression in children
1Monash University, Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria.
Australian Family Physician
|September 1, 1990
Insights
Persistent depressive illness affects 2% of children, impacting development. Treatment involves family therapy, behavioral, and psychotherapeutic measures, with occasional medication for biological cases.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Transient unhappiness and depressive feelings are common in childhood.
- Persistent depressive illness affects approximately 2% of children.
- This condition significantly impacts social, educational, and emotional development.
Abstract:
Unhappiness and transient feelings of depression are common normal experiences for many children. Persistent depressive illness occurs in about 2 per cent of children and seriously affects social, educational and emotional development. Treatment usually requires family therapy and behavioural and psychotherapeutic measures. Antidepressant medication has an occasional role in cases with a biological basis.