Adolescent depression includes symptoms of persistent sad or irritable mood, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Adolescent bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent and extreme shifts in mood, energy, or behaviors that interfere significantly with normal, healthy functioning. An estimated 2.5% of children and 8.3% of adolescents in the U.S. experience depression and 1% of 14- to 18-year-olds experience bipolar disorder or cyclothymia, a similar but milder illness. If left untreated adolescent depression can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug use, and suicide and untreated bipolar disorder can result in destructive outbursts, alcohol or substance abuse, difficulty with relationships, and suicidal behavior.

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William Beardslee, M.D., Children's Hospital, Boston

Joseph Biederman, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital

David Brent, M.D., Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Dennis S. Charney, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health

Joseph Coyle, M.D., Harvard Medical School

W. Edward Craighead, Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder

Paul Crits-Christoph, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Robert L. Findling, M.D., Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland

Judy Garber, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Robert L. Johnson, M.D., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Martin B. Keller, M.D., Brown University

Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Emory University

Moira A. Rynn, M.D., University of Pennsylvania

Karen Wagner, M.D., Ph.D., University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Myrna M. Weissman, Ph.D., Columbia University

Elizabeth B. Weller, M.D., University of Pennsylvania