Psychopathologic patterns in depressed adolescents.

Depression in adolescents may be masked by symptoms not commonly found in adults. These symptoms may require, at least initially, a management approach not necessarily in the best interest of treatment of the underlying depression. Suicidal behavior in adolescents can be manipulative and unrelated to depression. Management of such adolescents must differ from the management of patients whose suicidal behavior is the direct result of depression.