1. Diagnostic criteria of major depressive illness in childhood are essentially the same for major depressive illness in adults.

2. Major depressive illness in childhood differs from major depressive illness in adults in the following ways:
- failure to gain weight equates to weight loss in adults
- comorbid psychiatric disorders occur in 40-70 percent of children
- irritable mood may suffice for the depressed mood criterion.
- anxiety is more common
- somatic symptoms are more common
- auditory hallucinations are more common
- loss of interest and psychomotor retardation are less common
- often progress to bipolar disorder
- suicide is rare
- risk factors differ

3. Risk factors for major depressive disorder in childhood include:
- a family history of depressive disorder
- family conflict
- rejection and childhood maltreatment
- lack of family warmth
- family discord
- disturbed maternal relationships
- the presence of a negative cognitive style

4. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective for adolescents with depression
and have been suggested as the drugs of choice in depression which require treatment
with a psychotropic drug. (12)

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