Although research on the diagnosis and treatment of depression in children and adolescents has lagged far behind that in adults, recent large-scale studies—armed with operationalized criteria and validated assessment instruments—have done much to close this gap. In The Many Faces of Depression in Children and Adolescents, Drs. Shaffer and Waslick lead a distinguished group of contributors in presenting an overview of the key findings and concepts emerging from recent empirical efforts to understand the cause of depressive illness in youth. Featured are the following:

Current findings regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of depression in childhood and adolescence Results of major clinical trials evaluating outpatient psychotherapeutic interventions for depressed and suicidal children and adolescents (e.g., cognitive-behavior therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed children and adolescents; dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal youth) State-of-the-art principles of pharmacotherapy for acute, continuation, and maintenance treatment phases of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents Dilemmas and challenges related to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children Current knowledge regarding the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of—and the etiological risk factors for—suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide Developments in the emerging field of youth suicide prevention

An invaluable compendium of current thought on a disorder whose potential consequences can be nothing short of devastating, this volume belongs on the bookshelf of every clinician who treats children and adolescents.

Reviews
“This book offers an excellent review of the current knowledge of childhood depression. It covers certain areas like pharmacotherapy and suicide very well. The research that is referenced is very relevant and would be useful for clinicians working with this population.”—Doody’s Health Science Book Review Journal, August 2002

“This volume is the best current text on the topic. It provides an incisive and erudite reader-friendly review of the available evidence by which to diagnose, treat, and manage children and adolescents with mood disorders. Each chapter, authored by leaders in the field, provides remarkably clear distillations of what is known based on the scientific literature and, where appropriate, on clinical experience. Topics include the recognition and differential diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder, psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions, and recognition and care of the suicidal patient. This volume is a 'must-read' for clinicians and researchers dealing with children and adolescents with mood disorders.”—A. John Rush, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas

“[T]his is a top-notch and most current review book in this area. I would recommend it to all child and adolescent psychiatrists and all clinicians involved in the management and interested in the well-being of depressed children and adolescents.”—Richard Balon, M.D., The American Journal of Psychiatry, January 2004