Life Events and Depression in Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorders

11 children with pervasive development disorders & depression were compared to 11 children with pervasive development disorders without depression. Data was collected on the occurrence of unpleasant life events in the 12 months prior to the onset of depression. Depressed children experienced significantly more life events during this time. 8 patients in the depressed group had a history of expressing suicidal thoughts that were of recent onset. Only 1 patient actually attempted to hurt herself.