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Depression in children and young people

How is it diagnosed?

A diagnosis will usually be made after a health care professional talks with the child or teenager both with and without his/her parents. Information from others such as a teacher who knows the child or teenager may be sought. Occasionally, a physical condition can lead to symptoms similar to those of depression. For this reason a physical examination may be needed to eliminate conditions such as glandular fever, anaemia, breathing problems such as sleep apnoea or thyroid disorders. If a diagnosis of depression is made, it may be described as mild, moderate or severe according to the number of symptoms that are identified.

View What are the causes? What are the causes?  |  How is it treated? View How is it treated?

Medical text written March 2006 by Contact a Family and Professor D Cottrell, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leeds University, Leeds, UK.

 

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