Hi, this is Tom, and in this episode I'm going to be going through depression in children and

adolescence. And you can find notes at zero to finals.com and in the zero to finals pediatrics book.

And you can find flashcards and questions at members.0.0.0.com.

So let's jump straight in.

Depression is a disorder that causes persistent feelings of low mood, low energy,

and reduced enjoyment of activities.

It affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Let's talk about the pathophysiology. The pathophysiology of depression is not fully understood

and involves a mix of complex mechanisms. At least in part, it involves a disturbance

in neurotransmitter activity in the brain,

particularly involving serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT.

The cause is often described as a chemical imbalance or low levels of serotonin, which may be helpful as a simple

explanation, but in reality is overly simplistic.

Let's talk about the causes. Depression may be triggered by a life event, for example, bullying

or the loss of a loved one. However, it can occur without

any apparent triggers. It's thought to be caused by genetic, psychological, biological and

environmental factors. Having an affected relative is a significant risk factor. Physical health conditions can trigger or exacerbate depression,

and it commonly occurs with conditions such as chronic pain disorders,

like migraines or juvenile arthritis,

asthma, type 1 diabetes, and epilepsy.

Let's talk about the presentation.

Symptoms of depression should be present for at least two weeks before considering a

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