Adolescent depression: prevalence in Swedish high-school students

A total population of high-school students aged 16-17 years in a Swedish to wn was screened for depression and previous suicide attempts, and 2300 stud ents (93.3 %) participated. Those with high depression scores (12.3 %) and previous suicide attempts (2.4%), as well as controls matched for gender an d education, were interviewed for diagnosis (DICA-R-A), and 88.8 % particip ated. The 1-year prevalence of major depression was 5.8% and the lifetime p revalence was 11.4%, with four girls being represented for every boy. A dep ression lasting for at least 1 year was the most common type. Dysthymia was found in 2% (two girls for every boy). Short hypomanic episodes were prese nt in 13.2% of those with a lifetime diagnosis of major depression.