Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide

Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Anxiety is the body’s physiological response to stressful stimuli. Depression and anxiety are diagnosed as mood disorders when these symptoms occur outside of the range of normal development or cause excessive impairment in function. Depression and anxiety in children and adolescents are recognized as common and serious psychiatric conditions with extensive acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. Children and adolescents should be screened for depression and anxiety using validated screening tools during routine well-child care. In addition to the use of screening tools, a detailed history should be obtained and a thorough physical exam should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the plan of action. Most children and adolescents with anxiety and depression can be treated successfully with psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy.