Depression in Adolescence
Depression in Adolescents
The link between symptoms, etiology, core biochemical processes, treatment outcome, and treatment response of affective (mood) disorders is yet to be adequately understood for allowing their categorization, such that it meets universal approval. Still, one has to make an attempt in this regard, and researchers propose a potentially-acceptable one, derived from extensive consultation.
In case of affective disorders, the basic disturbance is an affect (mood) change, typically extreme elation or depression (without or with related anxiety). An overall activity level change generally accompanies this change of mood, and a majority of other related symptoms either will be conveniently recognized in the context of these changes, or will be secondary to them. Most disorders have a tendency of repetition, and the commencement of individual bouts is usually linked to stressful circumstances or occurrences.
The key criteria of classification of affective disorders have been selected for practical purposes, in that, these criteria permit easy identification of common clinical problems. Single spells are distinguished from multiple-episode or bipolar disorders, as a considerable percentage of clients only experience a single episode of ailment. Severity is accorded importance owing to treatment implications as well as for implications for providing different service levels. Differentiating between different severity levels continues to be an issue -- the three levels (severe, moderate and mild) are specified because of their preference by many clinicians (WHO, n.d., p.94)
Typically, in severe, moderate, and mild depressive episodes, the patient normally experiences a depressed mood, reduced energy, and loss of enjoyment and interest, resulting in diminished activity and increased fatigability. One common symptom is noticeable tiredness following minimal effort. Other symptoms that commonly occur are:
1. Disturbed sleep;
1. Lowering of self-confidence and self-esteem;
1. Ideas of unworthiness and guilt (even in case of mild depression);
1. Acts or ideas of suicide or self-harm;
1. Pessimistic, hopeless views of future;
1. Diminished appetite; and
1. Decreased attention and concentration
The low mood does not vary much from one day to the next, and is typically unresponsive to situations, but may nevertheless display a distinctive diurnal change with the day's progress. As in the case of manic episodes, depression's clinical presentation depicts overt individual variations. Further, among adolescents, atypical presentations will be particularly common. In some instances, motor agitation, anxiety, and distress might sometimes be more pronounced, and added features like irritability, histrionic behavior, hypochondriac preoccupations, excessive drinking, and exacerbated pre-existing obsessional or phobic symptoms might disguise change of mood. For mild-to-severe bouts of depression, no less than a fortnight is needed for diagnosis; however, in case of abnormally severe symptoms and swift onset, shorter diagnosis periods might be reasonable.
Some symptoms might be evident and the patient might develop distinctive features recognized widely as possessing singular clinical significance. Of depression's "somatic" symptoms, the most characteristic examples include loss of pleasure or interest in normally enjoyable activities; waking earlier than usual from sleep (at least two hours early);
lack of any emotional reaction to ordinarily pleasurable events and surroundings;
weight loss (defined usually as a minimum of 5% body weight loss within a month); worse depression in the daytime; noticeable libido and appetite loss; and objective proof of certain psychomotor agitation or retardation (reported or remarked on by others).
Normally, this somatic disorder is not considered as present until at least four of the aforementioned symptoms are clearly found.
The mild-moderate-severe categorization of depressive episodes must only be utilized for the first bout. Any further spells that occur must be categorized under a subdivision of recurring depressive disorder. The above severity grades cover various clinical states psychiatrists come across in diverse kinds of practice. People suffering from mild depression commonly seek treatment at general medical and primary care settings, while psychiatric inpatient clinics mostly deal with people suffering from severe levels of depression (WHO, n.d.)
Severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), severe depressive conditions are defined as those conditions characterized by a sense of desolation, sorrow, and guilt; sleep disturbances; and loss of appeal in activities. In a majority of instances, people suffering from major depression also undergo significant weight change.
Acute depression has diagnosed across all age groups and is seen most commonly in females. There are many sound treatment options for depressive disorders, but if left untreated, severe depressive disorder may end in suicide by the patient (Sheaffer, 2016). According to DSM-5 conditions, adolescents or kids may be diagnosed as "depressed" if a minimum of five symptoms are found in a diagnostic period of two weeks; (1) irritable or depressed mood; (2) loss of pleasure or interest in conjunction with any 3 symptoms listed below:
Depression in Children and Adolescents Depression is a severe sickness, which is capable of affecting almost all parts of a young individual's life and considerably affects his or her family as well. It can interfere with relationships amidst friends and family members, damage performance at school and limit other academic opportunities. It can result to other health issues because of the impacts it has on eating, physical activity, as well as
Depression in Adolescents Group Curriculum overview This group aims at aiding participants in modifying their cognitions, maladaptive schemas, and behaviors. Participants acquire a grasp of how to be more relaxed and occupied in more pleasing activities. Such changes to behavior will trigger the succeeding profounder change levels. Participating individuals will be aided in altering their depressogenic and impractical thoughts as well, to thoughts that are more practical, successively decreasing their depression levels.
Adolescent Development Thirteen -- Adolescent Development Depicted in a Contemporary Film Home life, family dynamics, and Tracy's relationship with her mom, dad, brother, her mom's boyfriend. "How many times are you going to let him fuck you over," Tracy yells at her mom after finding her mom's boyfriend's clothes in the dryer. "His clothes should not be in your laundry," Tracy shouts, in an apparent mood swing brought on by her hatred for
The affects of precursory steroidal compounds is difficult to determine due to differences in how adolescent bodies process them, but they may have an impact on social behavior similar to steroidal compounds, therefore, use of these substances will be included in this study as well. A key area of research focused on treatment of the symptoms of depression and aggression caused by steroid use. Effective treatment was achieved through the
The key years during which experimentation occurs - between 13 and 16. Kobus discusses influences that launch an adolescent's smoking habit from several perspectives. First, the "social learning theory": relationships that are "more intimate" and that are developed "earlier in the youth's experiences" and thought to be more important; and youths are more likely to "imitate the smoking habits" (or non-smoking habits) of those with whom they have the closes
Adolescent Substance Use Screening Instruments: 10-Year Critical Review of the Research Literature Over ten million teenagers in the United States admit in a national survey that they drink alcohol, although it is illegal under the age of 21 in all states. In some studies, nearly one-quarter of school-age children both smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. Over four thousand adolescents every day try marijuana for the first time. The dangers of use,
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now