Case Lab · Type B · Transfer

F92

'Moody lately,' or a genuine depressive episode?

A 15-year-old with a well-documented year-long pattern of truancy, aggression toward peers, and repeated theft is described by his mother as 'moody lately.' On closer questioning, this turns out to mean occasional short-tempered comments when asked to do chores, with no change in sleep, appetite, interest, or energy, and no sustained low mood.