Depressive Disorders in Youth

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are categorized under depressive disorders in the fifth edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Youth depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors, with family history accounting for 24% to 58% of depression in youth (Rao & Chen, 2009). Prevalence rates for depression are around 11% in adolescents (Merikangas et al., 2010) and 2.5% in children (Costello, Foley, & Angold, 2006). Younger children (i.e., ages 1-3) are less likely to experience depression, and symptoms gradually increase from middle childhood through adolescence.