Depression in Adolescence Week Two Reading
Reading Information
Depression In Adolescence Week Two Reading
Week: 2
Read: 12/08/21
Book:
Psychopathology: research, assessment and treatment in clinical psychology
Pages:Chapter 16 pages 549-551
Reference: Davey, G. C. (2021). Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical
Psychology (BPS Textbooks in Psychology) by Graham C. Davey (2014–08-22) [E-book]. John Wiley
& Sons.
Childhood and Adolescent Depression
● Depression in childhood is extremely hard to identify as parents/teachers fail to
recognise symptoms
● Early childhood depression symptoms: clingy behaviour, school refusal,
exaggerated fears, increased frequency of somatic complaints (e.g,stomach aches
and headaches
● In adolescence, depression manifests as sulkiness, withdrawing from family activity,
weight disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and guilt and even
suicidal ideation
The diagnosis and prevalence of childhood and adolescent depression
● With a few amendments, the diagnostic criteria for depression in childhood are
essentially the same for those of depression in adults
● Some symptoms change with age:
○ Somatic complaints, irritability and social withdrawal (all prominent in younger
children)
○ Psychomotor retardation (slowed thinking & movement) and hypersomnia are
common in adolescents
Depression Prevalence
Prevalence rate of less than 1% 2-3% for school-age children
in preschoolers
4-8% adolescents Lifetime prevalence for
adolescents → 25-28%
Comorbidities
● Childhood depression is highly comorbid with other psychopathologies. Around half
of adolescents diagnosed with depression will be diagnosed with another disorder in
their lifetime.
Reading Information
Depression In Adolescence Week Two Reading
Week: 2
Read: 12/08/21
Book:
Psychopathology: research, assessment and treatment in clinical psychology
Pages:Chapter 16 pages 549-551
Reference: Davey, G. C. (2021). Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical
Psychology (BPS Textbooks in Psychology) by Graham C. Davey (2014–08-22) [E-book]. John Wiley
& Sons.
Childhood and Adolescent Depression
● Depression in childhood is extremely hard to identify as parents/teachers fail to
recognise symptoms
● Early childhood depression symptoms: clingy behaviour, school refusal,
exaggerated fears, increased frequency of somatic complaints (e.g,stomach aches
and headaches
● In adolescence, depression manifests as sulkiness, withdrawing from family activity,
weight disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and guilt and even
suicidal ideation
The diagnosis and prevalence of childhood and adolescent depression
● With a few amendments, the diagnostic criteria for depression in childhood are
essentially the same for those of depression in adults
● Some symptoms change with age:
○ Somatic complaints, irritability and social withdrawal (all prominent in younger
children)
○ Psychomotor retardation (slowed thinking & movement) and hypersomnia are
common in adolescents
Depression Prevalence
Prevalence rate of less than 1% 2-3% for school-age children
in preschoolers
4-8% adolescents Lifetime prevalence for
adolescents → 25-28%
Comorbidities
● Childhood depression is highly comorbid with other psychopathologies. Around half
of adolescents diagnosed with depression will be diagnosed with another disorder in
their lifetime.
