Depressive Disorders in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestations in Moroccan Children and Adolescents

Depression in children and adolescents is often under-diagnosed due to its complex and varied clinical presentation. This article analyzes the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors and clinical manifestations of depression in this population, through a retrospective study conducted at the child psychiatry department of the Abderrahim Harouchi mother-child hospital of the University Hospital Center Ibn Rochd in Casablanca- Morocco over two years. Out of 8720 new consultants, 820 presented with depressive elements, i.e. a prevalence of 9.4%. The main symptoms included psychomotor disorders, anhedonia, sleep disorders and suicidal ideation. The main risk factors were psychiatric family history in 59.3% of patients, and personal organic history and comorbidities in 11.8%. The clinical complexity of depression in children and adolescents underscores the importance of an individualized treatment approach. This study highlights the importance of early detection and appropriate management of depression in children and adolescents.