pediatrics
Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Diagnosis
Psychiatric assessment Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5-TR) criteria Diagnosis of depressive disorders is based on symptoms and signs, including the criteria listed above. Sources of information include an interview with the child or adolescent and information from parents and teachers. Several brief questionnaires are available for screening. They help identify some depressive symptoms but cannot be used alone for diagnosis. Specific close-ended questions help determine whether patients have the symptoms required for diagnosis of major depression, based on DSM-5-TR criteria. History should include causative factors such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, and drug adverse effects. Questions about Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents (eg, ideation, gestures, attempts) should be asked. A careful review of the history and appropriate laboratory tests are needed to exclude other disorders (eg, Infectious Mononucleosis , Other psychiatric disorders that can increase the risk and/or modify the course of depressive symptoms (eg, Overview of Anxiety Disorders and After depression is diagnosed, the family and social setting must be evaluated to identify stresses that may have precipitated depression. 