Irritability, not sad low mood, predicts inattention in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder with and without persistent depressive disorder

Abstract

BACKGROUND: At present, the specific relationships between inattention and the two main components of depressed mood -sad low mood and irritability- have not been systematically examined in young people with major depressive disorder with and without persistent depressive disorder. The relationships are important to clarify because inattention may be independent of depressed and/or irritable mood and may mediate ongoing functional impairment in young people with these depressive disorders. METHODS: Three hundred and thirteen medication naïve young people (aged 6-16 years) with active major depressive disorder (MDD) alone, persistent depressive disorder (DD) alone and comorbid active MDD and ..