Developmental Depression in Adolescents: A Potential Sub-type Based on Neural Correlates and Comorbidity.
Journal of Religion and Health June 1, 2015 Lisa Miller, Yakov A Barton
Depression diagnosis has low reliability partly because the condition is heterogeneous. Among adolescents, very high rates of moderate or sub-threshold depression (35-45% beyond the 20-25% with major depressive disorder) suggest a potential subtype called developmental depression (DD), proposed as a normative process of spiritual individuation. This study tested for unique comorbidity and neural correlates in 125 adolescents aged 15-19 from a larger MRI dataset. Sub-threshold depression was associated with greater occipital brain volume and comorbidity with mania, ADHD, and anxiety. In adolescents low in self-transcendence, sub-threshold depression was linked to conduct disorder and heavy substance use. Findings support the possibility of DD as a distinct subtype.