There is some evidence that using antidepressants to treat a child with depression who has bipolar disorder may induce manic symptoms. While it can be hard to determine which young patients will become manic, there is a greater likelihood among children who have a family history of bipolar disorder. Family physicians seeing a child who may be depressed and who has a family history of bipolar disorder may want to consult with a child psychiatrist. Family practitioners should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of mania so that they can educate families on how to recognize these immediately. This less severe yet typically more chronic form of depression is diagnosed when depressed mood persists for at least one year in children or adolescents, and is accompanied by at least two of the symptoms of major depression.
Dysthymia often precedes major depressive disorder.
Treatment of the child or adolescent with dysthmia may prevent the deterioration to more severe illness. Share your content with us and gain exposure among our 2.2 million unique annual visitors. Find out how to contribute and more details here . Research Your Illness Visit our Medcenter and get your Medifocus Guide , trustworthy medical information specifically about your health condition. Bookstore Visit our Depression Bookstore and find books on the latest treatments and remedies for your illness.