Early onset depression appears to be associated with poorer outcomes of depression, including a longer time to remission, a lower likelihood of remission and poorer symptomatic improvement.
In general, earlier age of onset of depression is associated with a worse course of depression, with greater chances of recurrence, chronicity, and impairment in role functioning.
Researchers found that earlier age of illness onset was predictive of a poorer overall quality of life, even when symptomatic improvement was comparable to that of person with an older age of onset.
A history of major depressive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder and conversion disorder was more common in early-onset compared to late –onset patients.
This may relate to the longer time spent being depressed, developmental difficulties relating to early-onset depression, or the better social environment that is likely found in individuals with previously good functioning.
Earlier onset of depression causes disruption of the process of acquiring important adaptive skills and managing life transitions. It is possible that early onset of depression interferes with healthy development and acquisition of problem solving skills and positive views of the self and others.
Early onset depression
