Depressed Children show Abnormal Stress Hormone Pattern

Preschool children diagnosed with depression show an abnormal pattern of activity in the stress hormone cortisol. This pattern is similar to that seen in depressed adults.

The researchers conclude that abnormal stress responses in depressive disorders occur "across the lifespan." Most of us have a decrease in cortisol once a stressor is removed, but this is not the case for depressed children and adults.

Read more in this Reuters Health article