[Care continuity for patients with depression during transition from childhood to adulthood]

Abstract

The clinical features, course and outcome of mood disorders in childhood and adolescence are discussed. The most specific symptoms of major depressive disorder in childhood and adolescence are irritability, social withdrawal, and comorbidity. Depression is a chronic and recurrent condition. The course of child onset depression resembles those with conduct disorder much more than those with mood disorders, without an increased risk for recurrence of depression into adult life. On the other hand, adolescent onset depression has a high risk of recurrent mood disorder into adulthood.