14.1 A Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent–Child Psychotherapy in Early Childhood Depression

Abstract

Clinical depression in children as young as age 3 years has been validated with prevalence rates similar to the school-age disorder. Homotypic continuity between early and later childhood depression has been observed, and alterations in brain function and structure similar to those known in depressed adults have been reported. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and treating depression as early as developmentally possible, given the relative treatment resistance and small effect sizes for later life treatments. The need for studies of psychotherapies for early childhood depression is also underscored by increases in psychotropic medication prescriptions for young children, representing a public health crisis.