Affective disorders in children and adolescents: The dysthymic disorder dilemma

Investigated the use of psychiatric ratings and self-report information in distinguishing major depression and dysthymic disorders from each other and from other disorders. 60 adolescent psychiatry patients (mean age 13.05 yrs) completed the Children's Depression Scale and a children's depression inventory, and the results were compared with those from diagnostic interviews using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) criteria. Findings suggest that diagnostic ratings and self-reports of depression contributed to the differential diagnosis of dysthymic disorder, major depression, and other psychiatric disorders. It is suggested that age-appropriate revision of DSM-III diagnostic symptoms may lead to greater consistency in diagnosing dysthymic disorder in young populations.