Posted by Dr. Bob on June 12, 2001, at 8:02:34
In reply to RYAN - Comorbidity, posted by Cam W. on May 23, 2001, at 12:36:46
There is quite a bit written about the different mechanisms that could account for comorbidity and my assumption is that in many cases several such mechanisms may be in play to explain a particular comorbidity. In this case, my "guess" is as you outline -- during the depression the social skills of the child deteriorate with the irritability that is a symptom of the depression, with the relative lack of social pleasure, etc., and so some children sort of "tip over" into having enough conduct symptoms to be diagnosed with that disorder, too. In those cases the conduct disorder improves with improvement in the depression. All this, however, is my clinical guess and not based on controlled studies.
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:190
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/227.html