The Current Age of Youthful Melancholia: Evidence for Increase in Depression Among Adolescents & Young Adults

In the 1970’s, speculation that depression rates might have risen in adolescents & young adults was based mainly on childhood depression’s emergence & the increase in suicide attempts & death in youth. Data from large-scale family & community epidemiological studies were reanalyzed. Evidence for secular trends is presented & problems of disentangling period & cohort effect are discussed. “Baby boomers” seem to have increased depression & substance abuse rates. Theoretical aspects are discussed.