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Differential diagnosis of childhood depression: Using comorbidity and symptom overlap to generate multiple hypotheses

Child Psychiatry and Human Development volume 24, pages 157–172 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Childhood depression is often found to share symptoms and coexist with several other childhood disorders and physiological conditions, leading to diagnostic errors and possibly inappropriate treatment. Literature relevant to the differential diagnosis of childhood depression is reviewed with particular attention given to the similarities and differences between depression and coexisting conditions such as anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The characteristics of childhood depression are compared and contrasted with other possible coexisting disorders. Diagnostic reasoning, confirmatory bias, and the advantages of considering multiple hypotheses when diagnosing depression are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kentucky, 245 Dickey Hall, 40506-0017, Lexington, KY

    Paul B. de Mesquita PhD & Walter S. Gilliam MS

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  1. Paul B. de Mesquita PhD
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  2. Walter S. Gilliam MS
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de Mesquita, P.B., Gilliam, W.S. Differential diagnosis of childhood depression: Using comorbidity and symptom overlap to generate multiple hypotheses. Child Psych Hum Dev 24, 157–172 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353193

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353193

Key Words

  • Childhood Depression
  • differential diagnosis
  • comorbidity
  • symptom overlap
  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder