Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents

For a long period of time depression was not considered to exist in pediatric patients, in the last three decades it began to be recognized as a disorder that can affect both children and adolescents, known as early start depression when it occurs before the age of 18. Depression in early ages causes years of disruptions in several aspects of life such as education and job. Besides, it gives place to certain difficulties during the first depressive episode for example the time it takes to get professional attention, the modality of the attention and consequently, the duration of the episode. Comorbility plays an important role for those in contact with pediatric patients at risk, since an elevated percentage of depressed patients have another psiquiatric disorder. About the treatment for child depression nowadays three options are available. Psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment and combined treatment. The use of psychiatric medication is reserved for those patients who are severally depressed and at the time, the FDA has approved only the use of fluoxetine in patients of 8 to 17 years.