Major Depressive Disorder and Subthreshold Depression in pre-pubertal children from The Danish National Birth Cohort

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a frequent and distressing mental disorder [1], representing one of the top five contributors to the global burden of disease in Europe and North America [2,3]. Childhood onset MDD shows a high recurrence [4] and adolescents with MDD have a 40% risk of a recurrent depressive episode within two years [5]. Therefore, youth with MDD have a high risk for multiple depressive episodes during the crucial period of development. MDD is associated with more suicidal attempts if onset occurs in youth compared to adulthood [6].

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - June 21, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Rikke Wesselhoeft, Einar R. Heiervang, Per Kragh-Sørensen, Merete Juul Sørensen, Niels Bilenberg Source Type: research