Kids and Depression - 12.31.03 - Ivanhoe Newswire

December 31, 2003

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Reported December 31, 2003

Kids and Depression

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Kids and teenagers who suffer from depression may not

be receiving care in accordance with published guidelines, finds a new study

in this month's Archives of General Psychiatry.

Studies show depressive disorders occur in about 2 percent of primary school

children. Four percent to 8 percent of teenagers are diagnosed with

depression. Children with depression are at greater risk for suicide,

substance abuse, early pregnancy, poor school performance, and impaired

psychosocial functioning. About half of all kids who experience depression

will suffer a relapse in young adulthood. The first line of treatment is

considered psychotherapy. Antidepressants are recommended only for children

with severe depression who do not respond to psychotherapy.

Investigators from Columbia University analyzed health data from a national

survey of the general population, looking at patients ages 6 to 18 who made

at least one trip to the doctor for the treatment of depression over a

four-year period. The primary goals of the study were to gauge the rate of

treatment among the children and how they were treated.

Results showed a lower rate of treatment for both black children and

children without insurance. Although nearly 80 percent of the children who

were treated received psychotherapy, less than a third underwent 10 or more

visits a year. However, about 57 percent were prescribed an antidepressant.

Compared to children who were treated without an antidepressant, those who

did receive the medications were more likely to live in a large urban area,

have health insurance, and have parents who graduated from high school.

Researchers found little evidence linking prescriptions for antidepressants

to illness severity. Medically speaking, only children who showed signs of

being unable to experience pleasure from activities that typically produce

pleasurable feelings were more likely to get the medications.

The investigators conclude serious gaps exist in the treatment of children

with depression, and antidepressants are being used far more often than

would be expected based on published treatment guidelines.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by

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