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The prevalence of major unipolar depression in children and adolescents is increasing in the United
States. In 2016, approximately 5% of 12-year-olds and 17% of 17-year-olds reported experiencing a
major depressive episode in the previous 12 months. Screening for depression in adolescents 12 years
and older should be conducted annually using a validated instrument, such as the Patient Health
Questionnaire-9:Modified for Teens. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be initiated for
persistent, moderate, and severe depression. Active sup-
port and monitoring may be sufficient for mild, self-limited
depression. For more severe depression, evidence indi-
cates greater response to treatment when psychotherapy
(e.g., cognitive behavior therapy) and an antidepressant are
used concurrently, compared with either treatment alone.
Fluoxetine and escitalopram are the only antidepressants
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
treatment of depression in children and adolescents. Flu-
oxetine may be used in patients older than eight years, and
escitalopram may be used in patients 12 years and older.
Monitoring for suicidality is necessary in children and ado-
The prevalence of depression is increasing among experienced severe impairment from depression, only about
youth in the United States. The 2005 to 2014 National Sur- 40% received treatment.1 Treatment rates have changed
veys on Drug Use and Health, which included 172,495 ado- little since 2005, raising concern that adolescents are not
lescents 12 to 17 years of age, found that the percentage of receiving needed care for depression.1
adolescents who experienced one or more major depres-
sive episodes in the previous 12 months increased from Risk Factors
9% in 2005 to 11% in 2014.1 In 2016, this percentage was Increased risk of depression in children and adolescents
approximately 13% (5% in 12-year-olds, 13% in 14-year- may be due to biologic, psychological, or environmental fac-
olds, and 17% in 17-year-olds), and although 70% of youths tors (Table 1).2-34 In children 12 years and younger, depres-
sion is slightly more common in boys than in girls (1.3%
vs. 0.8%).35 However, after puberty, adolescent girls are more
CME This clinical content conforms to AAFP criteria for
continuing medical education (CME). See CME Quiz on
likely to experience depression.35
page 607.
Screening for Depression
Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.
Patient information: A handout on this topic is available at
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recom-
https://w ww.aafp.org/afp/2019/1115/p609-s1.html. mends screening children and adolescents 12 to 18 years of
age for major depressive disorder with adequate systems in
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DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
TABLE 1
Female sex8,9 Less attachment to parents and peers, or Few opportunities for physical activity
problems with peers6-8,17 and sports31;low physical activity32;
High-functioning autism 10,11
Low self-esteem and lack of self-kindness20,21 greater than two hours per day of
LGBTQ identified12 leisure-time screen use31
Negative thinking and recall styles22,23
Polymorphisms in the Foreign born or perceived
serotonin, dopamine, or Other mental health and behavior problems, discrimination8,13
monoamine oxidase genes13 including previous depression and cannabis
or tobacco use6-8,10,13 Loss of a loved one8
place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and typical of grief) vs. a persistent depressed mood with the
appropriate follow-up.36 The American Academy of Fam- inability to anticipate future enjoyable events (more typical
ily Physicians supports the USPSTF recommendation.37 In of depression).42
2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the
Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care Diagnosis
(GLAD-PC), which recommends screening adolescents 12 When a child or adolescent screens positive using a for-
years and older annually for depressive disorders using a mal screening tool, such as the PHQ-A, or when he or she
self-report screening tool.38,39 presents with symptoms indicating a possible depressive
There are various instruments to screen adolescents for disorder, the primary care physician should assess whether
depression. One popular instrument for use in primary care the symptoms are a result of a major depressive episode or
is the Patient Health Questionnaire-9:Modified for Teens another condition that could present with similar symp-
(also called PHQ-A) for patients 11 to 17 years of age. The toms. To diagnose major depressive disorder, criteria from
PHQ-A is shown in Figure 1 and Table 2, along with four the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
questions not used in scoring that address suicidality, dys- 5th ed. (DSM-5), must be met and not explained by sub-
thymia, and severity of depression.40,41 stance abuse, medication use, or other medical or psycho-
logical condition.42 The full DSM-5 criteria are available at
Clinical Presentation https://w ww.aafp.org/afp/2018/1015/p508.html#a fp201810
The presenting sign of major depressive disorder may be 15p508-t6. Some children may develop a cranky mood or
insomnia or hypersomnia;weight loss or gain;difficulty irritability rather than sadness.
concentrating;loss of interest in school, sports, or other Medical conditions that may present similarly to depres-
previously enjoyable activities;increased irritability;or feel- sion include hypothyroidism, anemia, autoimmune disease,
ing sad or worthless.42 To distinguish between normal grief, and vitamin deficiency. Laboratory tests that may be help-
such as after the loss of a loved one, and a major depressive ful in ruling out common medical conditions that could
episode, it may be helpful to determine whether the pre- be mistaken for depression include complete blood count;
dominant symptom is a sense of loss or emptiness (more comprehensive metabolic profile panel;an inflammatory
610 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 100, Number 10 ◆ November 15, 2019
DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
FIGURE 1
0 1 2 3
Instructions: How often have you been bothered by each of the following More Nearly
symptoms during the past two weeks? For each symptom put an “X” in the Several than half every
box beneath the answer that best describes how you have been feeling. Not at all days the days day
biomarker, such as C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedi- the diagnosis may be persistent depressive disorder, which
mentation rate;thyroid-stimulating hormone;vitamin B12; is often treated the same as a major depressive episode (e.g.,
and folate. antidepressants, psychotherapy).42 If a child or adolescent is
Other psychological conditions that may present sim- predominantly angry with temper outbursts, the diagnosis
ilarly to major depressive disorder include persistent may be disruptive mood dysregulation disorder or post-
depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) and disruptive traumatic stress disorder.42
mood dysregulation disorder. If a child or adolescent has a Symptoms of bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and
depressed mood for more days than not for at least one year, conduct disorders may also overlap with major depressive
November 15, 2019 ◆ Volume 100, Number 10 www.aafp.org/afp American Family Physician 611
DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
The GLAD-PC guidelines recommend that *—Positive is defined by a 2 or 3 in questions 1 to 8 and by a 1, 2, or 3 in question 9.
primary care physicians counsel families and Adapted with permission from American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychi-
atry. PHQ-9:Modified for Teens. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://w ww.aacap.
patients about depression and develop a treat-
org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/member_resources/toolbox_for_clinical_prac-
ment plan that includes setting specific goals tice_and_outcomes/symptoms/GLAD-PC_PHQ-9.pdf, with additional informa-
involving functioning at home, at school, and tion from reference 40.
with peers.38 For example, a treatment plan might
include treating others with respect, attending
family meals, keeping up with schoolwork, and spending danger of suicide becomes imminent, psychiatric evalua-
time in activities with supportive peers. Additionally, a tion in a hospital emergency department or psychiatry crisis
safety plan should be established that limits access to lethal clinic is needed.
means, such as removing firearms from the home or lock- For mild depression, which may be short-lived, pri-
ing them up. It should also provide a way for the patient to mary care physicians should consider active support such
communicate during an acute crisis (e.g., providing phone as counseling about depression and treatment options,
numbers for people to contact if suicidal thoughts occur, facilitating caregiver/patient depression self-management,
creating a list of coping skills, educating the parents on how and monitoring the patient every week or two for six to
to recognize if the patient is a risk to self or others).38 If the eight weeks before initiating pharmacotherapy and/or
612 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 100, Number 10 ◆ November 15, 2019
DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
November 15, 2019 ◆ Volume 100, Number 10 www.aafp.org/afp American Family Physician 613
FIGURE 3
COMBINED THERAPY
Evidence from a good-quality randomized trial Confirm major depressive disorder?
614 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 100, Number 10 ◆ November 15, 2019
DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Evidence
Clinical recommendation rating Comments
For children and adolescents with mild depression, consider delaying pharma- A Evidence from response in
cotherapy and psychotherapy for six to eight weeks while providing supportive placebo arms of trials and
care and close monitoring, because patients may improve without further recommendation from con-
treatment.46-50 sensus guidelines
Children and adolescents with moderate or severe depression or persistent mild A Consistent evidence from
depression should be treated with fluoxetine (Prozac) or escitalopram (Lexapro) in several randomized trials
conjunction with cognitive behavior therapy or other talk therapy.47,57-59
For those who do not initiate combination therapy, monotherapy with an antide- A Evidence from several
pressant or psychotherapy is recommended, although the likelihood of benefit is randomized trials and sys-
lower.46,52-56 tematic reviews
A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence;B = inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence;C = consensus, disease-
oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the SORT evidence rating system, go to https://w ww.aafp.
org/afpsort.
should be treated with fluoxetine or escitalopram in con- in adolescents with depression is lacking, the GLAD-PC
junction with CBT or other talk therapy.47,57-59 If combination guidelines recommend continuing medication for one year
therapy is not used, monotherapy with an antidepressant or beyond the resolution of symptoms.50
psychotherapy is recommended, although the likelihood of
benefit is lower.46,52-56 Referral to a Mental Health Subspecialist
If a child or adolescent does not improve after initial treat-
Reassessing Treatment and Treatment ment for depression, the primary care physician may add,
Duration change, or increase a medication and may consider refer-
One trial found that early reassessment of depression is ral for psychotherapy. Referral to a licensed mental health
valuable.43 In this study, all youth received interpersonal professional is appropriate at any point in the treatment
psychotherapy and were randomized to a four- or eight- process. However, if the depression does not improve or the
week follow-up assessment for treatment modification. If child deteriorates even with treatment, consultation with or
additional treatment was needed because of inadequate referral to a child or adolescent psychiatrist is necessary.
response, patients were further randomized to add-on This article updates previous articles on this topic by
fluoxetine or more intense (twice weekly) psychotherapy. Clark, et al.60;Bhatia and Bhatia61;and Son and Kirchner.62
Those who were reassessed at four weeks improved the Data Sources: We conducted general and targeted searches
most at 16 weeks (a difference of 5.7 points on the Hamilton using Essential Evidence Plus, Ovid Medline, PubMed, the
Rating Scale for Depression;scores on this scale can range Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the U.S. Preventive
from 0 to 58 points, with a score of 0 to 7 considered nor- Services Task Force, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, and UpToDate, including the key words children or ado-
mal and a score of 20 associated with moderate depression; lescents with depression. Search dates:November 2018 to Jan-
P < .05). Additionally, those who began add-on fluoxetine uary 2019, and September 27, 2019.
at four weeks had better posttreatment depression scores The authors thank Alycia Brown, MD, for her review of the man-
than those who began intense interpersonal psychotherapy uscript and Ngoc Wasson, MPH, and Chandler Weeks, BS, for
at eight weeks, although there was no difference in global help with formatting the manuscript.
assessment scores between the two groups.
Treatment duration for talk therapy in adolescents with The Authors
unipolar depression is typically six months or less, but
SHELLEY S. SELPH, MD, MPH, is a core investigator at the
longer treatment may be necessary. Although good evi- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Portland,
dence regarding the duration of medication treatment
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DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
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DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
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