@entity14256 is a chronic @entity308 occurring in 0.6-4.6% of @entity1 and 1.6-8.0% of adolescents. Although symptoms are less severe than those observed in @entity308 , childhood-onset @entity14256 is characterised by a persistent and long-term @entity308 or irritable mood (mean episode duration 3-4 years), a worse outcome than @entity308 and, frequently, comorbid disorders (in around 50% of @entity1 ). Long-lasting @entity308 seem responsible for long-term disabling consequences on social skill learning, psychosocial functioning and consequent professional life, probably contributing to a higher risk of relapse or development of @entity308 . Consistently, the first episode of @entity308 occurs 2-3 years after the onset of @entity14256 , suggesting that the latter is one of the gateways to recurrent @entity1316 . The primary aims of treatment for @entity14256 should be to resolve @entity308 , reduce the risk of developing other @entity1316 over time and strengthen psychosocial functioning, especially in @entity1 and adolescents, in order to prevent the potentially serious sequelae of this disorder. As @entity1 with dysthymia often have multiple problems, interventions should involve multiple levels and measures: individual psychotherapy, family therapy/education and pharmacological treatment. Psychotherapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behaviour therapy and interpersonal therapy, have been found to be efficacious interventions in treating @entity1 and adolescents with mild to moderate @entity308 in studies including @entity1 with either dysthmia or double @entity308 . SSRIs are the first-line drug treatment for @entity1 and adolescents because of their safety, adverse effect profile and ease of use (the safety of @entity903 is currently under investigation). Several nonblind studies have shown the efficacy and good tolerability of SSRIs in @entity1 and adolescents with @entity14256 , but further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and that of newer antidepressants in the treatment of this disorder. Regardless of whether psychotherapeutic or medical treatments are planned, according to clinical experience, psychoeducational interventions and psychosocial support should be provided to parents and other caregivers during the acute treatment phase to help manage the @entity1 's irritable mood and foster a therapeutic alliance and better compliance with treatment. Unfortunately, no studies have focused on continuation treatment of @entity14256 . Given the chronicity, recurrence, psychosocial consequences and peculiar response pattern to treatment of @entity14256 , establishing effective 'acute' and 'continuation' interventions in this group of @entity1 should be a priority in mental health management.

Diagnosis and treatment of dysthymia in XXXX and adolescents.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['child', 'children', 'patients'] @entity14256 :: ('MESH:D019263', 'Disease') :: ['Dysthymic disorder', 'paediatric dysthymic disorder', 'dysthymic disorder'] @entity308 :: ('MESH:D003866', 'Disease') :: ['depressive symptoms', 'depressed', 'depression', 'major depression', 'depressive condition'] @entity903 :: ('MESH:D017374', 'Chemical') :: ['paroxetine'] @entity1316 :: ('MESH:D019964', 'Disease') :: ['mood disorders']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['children']
