Childhood depression.

This paper reviews the development of the current understanding of childhood depression. Psychoanalytic thought is briefly reviewed and recent studies regarding diagnosis, incidence, etiology, treatment, and prognosis are covered. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III is thought to adequately diagnose both adult and childhood depression. Depressive disorder in children is more frequently recognized and important studies are enhancing our knowledge of biologic, genetic, and psychological factors in depression. Treatment of depression is being refined and developed. The authors suggest that the understanding of childhood depression continues to be best conceptualized within a biopsychosocial model.