Base rates and prevalence Depression in childhood and adolescence

1 base rates , prevalence

1.1 suicidal intent
1.2 risk factor
1.3 co-morbidity

base rates , prevalence

about 8% of children , adolescents suffer depression. research suggests prevalence of young depression sufferers in western cultures ranges 1.9% 3.4% among primary school children , 3.2% 8.9% among adolescents. studies have found among children diagnosed depressive episode, there 70% rate of recurrence within 5 years. furthermore, 50% of children depression have recurrence @ least once during adulthood. while there no gender difference in depression rates until age 15, after age rate among women doubles compared men. however, in terms of recurrence rates , symptom severity, there no gender difference. in attempt explain these findings, 1 theory asserts pre-adolescent women, on average, have more risk factors depression men. these risk factors combine typical stresses , challenges of adolescent development trigger onset of depression.

suicidal intent

like adult counterparts, children , adolescent depression sufferers @ increased risk of attempting or committing suicide. suicide third leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds. adolescent males may @ higher risk of suicidal behavior if present conduct disorder. in 1990s, national institute of mental health (nimh) found 7% of adolescents develop major depressive disorder may commit suicide young adults. such statistics demonstrate importance of interventions family , friends, importance of diagnosis , treatment medical staff, prevent suicide among depressed or at-risk youth.

risk factor

in childhood, boys , girls appear @ equal risk depressive disorders; during adolescence, however, girls twice boys develop depression. before adolescence rates of depression same in girls , boys, not until between ages of 11-13 begins change.young girls around age, physically, go through more changes young boys put higher risk depression , hormonal imbalance. gender gap in depression between adolescent men , women due young women s lower levels of positive thinking, need approval, , self-focusing negative conditions. frequent exposure victimization or bullying related high risks of depression, ideation , suicide attempts compare not involved in bullying. nicotine dependence associated depression, anxiety, , poor dieting, in young men. although causal direction has not been established, involvement in sex or drug use cause concern. children develop major depression more have family history of disorder (often parent experienced depression @ age) patients adolescent- or adult-onset depression. adolescents depression have family history of depression, though correlation not high children.

co-morbidity

research has shown there high rate of co-morbidity depression in children dysthymia. there substantial co-morbidity rate depression in children , anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, , impaired social functioning. particularly, there high co-morbidity rate anxiety, ranging 15.9% 75%. conduct disorders have significant co-morbidity depression in children , adolescents, rate of 23% in 1 longitudinal study. beyond other clinical disorders, there association between depression in childhood , poor psycho-social , academic outcomes, higher risk substance abuse , suicide.