Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders

Publication Date: October 19, 2022
Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Summary of Graded Recommendations

AACAP suggests that cognitive−behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy could be offered to adolescents and children with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder. (2, I)
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AACAP suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication (except paroxetine), preferably fluoxetine, could be offered to adolescents and children with major depressive disorder. (2, I)
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AACAP suggests that combination treatment (cognitive−behavioral therapy plus fluoxetine) could be offered to adolescents and children with major depressive disorder. (2, I)
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AACAP suggests that continued fluoxetine alone or cognitive−behavioral therapy plus continued fluoxetine could be offered to adolescents and children responding to acute treatment with fluoxetine to prevent relapse/recurrence of major depressive disorder. (2, C)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders

Authoring Organization

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Publication Month/Year

October 19, 2022

Last Updated Month/Year

April 1, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To enhance the quality of care and clinical outcomes for children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and persistent depressive disorder (PDD). The aims are as follows: (1) to summarize empirically based guidance about the psychosocial and psychopharmacologic treatment of MDD and PDD in children and adolescents; and (2) to summarize expert-based guidance about the assessment of these disorders as an integral part of treatment, and the implementation of empirically based treatments for these disorders in clinical practice.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Child

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Childcare center, School

Intended Users

Counselor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant, psychologist

Scope

Diagnosis, Assessment and screening, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D003863 - Depression, D003865 - Depressive Disorder, Major, D003866 - Depressive Disorder

Keywords

depression, major depressive disorders, major depressive disorder, MDD, PDD, Persistent Depressive Disorders, childhood depression

Source Citation

Walter HJ, Abright AR, Bukstein OG, Diamond J, Keable H, Ripperger-Suhler J, Rockhill C. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022 Oct 21:S0890-8567(22)01852-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.10.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36273673.