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June 12-13, 2019 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Pediatrics and Clinical Pediatrics
2
nd
World Congress on
Current Pediatric Research | Volume: 23
Trajectories of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder in childhood and adolescence
James B McCarthy
ABPP Pace University, USA
S
tudies confirm increased prevalence rates of
depression in adolescents and that suicide remains
the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the
United States. Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar
Disorder represent complex psychiatric disorders that
are characterized by symptoms with some age-related
developmental differences and are often accompanied by
deficits in cognitive, social and psychological functioning.
Even though there has been a steadily increasing
awareness of genetic, neurobiological, environmental
and social influences that contribute to the unfolding
of pediatric mood disorders, questions remain about
the developmental trajectories and the most effective
psychosocial interventions for Bipolar Disorder and Major
Depression in children and adolescents.
Few examinations of the longitudinal outcome of the
treatment of severe mood disorders with antidepressant,
mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medications have included
their combination with family therapy and long-term
individual psychotherapy with children and adolescents.
Investigations of treatment effectiveness with Bipolar
Disorder and comorbidity, cognitive weaknesses, racial or
cultural differences or the role of trauma and how these
factors may influence the continuance of severe mood
disorders from childhood to adolescence to adulthood.
Questions also remain about the role of protective factors
in preventing the persistence of severe mood disorders
and about which combinations of psychotherapeutic
interventions may facilitate positive long-term outcomes
in spite of structural and functional brain abnormalities
that may be associated with Major Depressive Disorder or
Bipolar Disorder in children and youth.
Since pediatric mood disorders should be understood
in terms of interacting, multi-dimensional pathways,
comprehensive, multimodal treatment should include
supportive family treatment and individual psychotherapy
as well as the use of psychotropic medication. Research
studies on risk factors and variables associated with the
onset and the continuation of Major Depressive Disorder
and Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents suggest
the importance of coordinated, multimodal treatment.
Speaker Biography
James B McCarthy is a full-time faculty member and the Director of
Training, Pace University Doctoral Program in School-Clinical Child
Psychology in New York City and Clinical Professor of Psychology,
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. His research interests include
severe psychopathology in children and adults, cognitive development
and trauma as well as psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. He has
published extensively in the professional literature and is a Fellow
of the American Psychological Association. His most recent book,
“Psychosis in Childhood and Adolescence” is published by Routledge,
Taylor & Francis.
e:
jmccarthy@pace.eduJames B McCarthy, Current Pediatric Research, Volume 23
ISSN: 0971-9032