Unipolar depressive disorder is a common mental health problem in adolescents worldwide with an estimated 1 year prevalence of 4–5% in mid to late adolescence.Depression in adolescents is a major risk factor for suicide, the second-to-third leading cause of death in this age group, with more than half of adolescent suicide victims reported to have a depressive disorder at time of death.
Depression also leads to serious social and educational impairments, and an increased rate of smoking, substance misuse, and obesity.Thus, to recognise and treat this disorder is important.
Depression is defined as a cluster of specific symptoms with associated impairment. The clinical and diagnostic features of the disorder are broadly similar in adoles cents and adults (panel).