Depressão infanto-juvenil: compreendendo aspectos gerais, diagnóstico e tratamento farmacológico

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a psychiatric disorder that can manifest itself in individuals of any age group, but it severely affects children and adolescents. The main types of therapeutic interventions include psychotherapy, psychosocial intervention, pharmacological therapy and combination therapy. OBJECTIVE: To highlight, through bibliographic review, the use of antidepressants among children and adolescents. METHODOLOGY: Bibliographic studies, where data were collected through searches in virtual health databases published in Portuguese and English in the period from 2010 to 2020, in addition to the use of books related to the theme. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Estimates indicate that 0.4 to 0.3% of Brazilian children have depressive characteristics. In adolescents, this number is higher and may vary from 3.3 to 12.4%, with strong trends in chronification, that is, development in adulthood. Although the diagnostic criteria for children and adolescents are the same as for adults, there is a predominance of some symptoms, such as: anxiety, somatic complaints and hallucinations. For both, the drop in school performance is one of the first indications of depression, in addition to the development of dysphoria, isolation and sadness. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) are considered to be the agents of choice in the treatment of childhood and juvenile depression. This class of drugs is often prescribed due to its proven effectiveness, as well as its favorable profile of adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescent depression is common, but underdiagnosed. A careful analysis is necessary, since the diagnosis is complex. In addition, psychotherapy is indicated in all degrees of the disease, while pharmacological therapy is indicated for more severe cases.