Depresión en la infancia y adolescencia: Enfermedad de nuestro tiempo

Mental disorders are considered a public health problem in most of the world. Depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression is a mental disorder characterized by long periods of sadness, affecting the behavior and the thinking process of the individual. The occurrence of depression in children and adolescents has increased in the last fifty years. Anyone can experience depression, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender, epidemiological studies indicate that this disorder occurs in about 3-8% of adolescents, whereas in adults it occurs in about 4.5% of population. It causes social isolation and can, in severe cases, lead to suicide. Risk factors for depression include: family history, gender, and high stress situations. The diagnostic criteria for depression are well established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IVTR). A safe and effective treatment requires accurate diagnosis, however, it must be recognized that there is a risk of underdiagnosing depression in children because some children and adolescents may have difficulty identifying and describing their symptoms.