Low Rates of Depressed Mood and Depression Diagnoses in a Clinic Review of Children and Adolescents with Autistic Disorder

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression diagnoses and related clinical data in an outpatient sample of youth with autistic disorder. METHODS: Records of 123 psychiatrically referred children and adolescents with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnosis of autistic disorder were examined. Mood disorder diagnoses and chief complaints along with family mood disorder history were the primary variables analyzed. RESULTS: Four subjects (3%) presented with depressed mood. Irritability complaints were frequent (n=78, 63%). Six subjects (5%) received a mood disorder diagnosis; all with mood disorder, not otherwise specified. No subjects received a depressive disorder diagnosis. Family history of mood disorders was common. CONCLUSIONS: Findings raise questions about the appropriate characterization and potential misdiagnoses of depression in youth with autistic disorder.