Problems Related to Identifying, Diagnosing and Assessing Depression in Adolescents When Taking Into Account Gender and Other Contextual Factors.

In an attempt to better understand depression in today’s youth, I have chosen to explore the depths of Major Depressive Disorder and how it affects the young people in our society. Depression amongst school age children and adolescents are the primary focus. The prevalence, adversities, and treatment of the depression are discussed as well. After exploring these few facets of the disorder, I will talk briefly about the Ecological Model developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner and Morris in 1998 that is used by counselors to help evaluate and assess the children who are referred by teachers or medical

Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders among school-aged youth, with high prevalence and far-reaching consequences (Probst, 2008). “School Phobia and excessive clinging to parents may be symptoms of depression in children. Poor academic performance, substance abuse, antisocial behavior, sexual promiscuity, truancy, and running away may be symptoms of depression in adolescents” (Sadock & Sadock, 2003, p. 554). Depression in adolescents often is an unremitting disorder that predicts ongoing depression and psychosocial impairment (Kratochvil et. at., 2005). It affects the developmental process, resulting in difficulties with concentration and motivation, leading to poor academic performance,

Muller, B. E., & Erford, B. T. (2012). Choosing Assessment Instruments for Depression Outcome Research With School-Age Youth. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(2), 208-220. doi:10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00026.x

Depression is a disease that afflicts the human psyche in such a way that the afflicted tend to act and react abnormally toward others and themselves. Adolescent depression is greatly under diagnosed, and leads to serious difficulties in school, and personal adjustment. The reason why depression is often overlooked in children is because children are not always able to express how they feel. Therefore, teachers should be trained in dealing with depressed youths, and to advise the parents of the child to seek professional treatment. School is the place where children spend most of their waking hours learning, socializing, and growing. A child needs to be mentally healthy in order to learn properly, and sometimes problems arise at home, with

Depression is a feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability. Depression interferes with a person’s daily living because they feel they cannot change their behavior or come out of their depressed state. Clinical depression is diagnosed when five or more symptoms are present for at least two weeks. The symptoms are: persistent sadness, anxiousness, or empty mood; loss of interest in hobbies or activities, difficulty sleeping or waking, appetite changes and/or unwanted weight changes, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness; thoughts of death or suicide, and suicide attempts. If someone is having thoughts that life is not worth living or ideas of harming themselves, it is not necessary to wait the full two weeks for symptoms to be present. People should seek help immediately if the symptoms are

According to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, the reason why depression is often over looked in children and adolescents is because “children are not always able to express how they feel” (Brown, Hammen, Craske & Wickens, 1995). In addition, depression among adolescents is difficult to diagnose because it is a developmental stage associated with rebellion and experimentation marked by emotional turmoil, mood swings, and heightened sensitivity. The prevailing misconceptions regarding children’s mood and behavior detracts clinicians from properly diagnosing this widely prevalent child health issue (Brown et al., 1995). Thus, to recognize and treat this disorder is important.

Many adolescents go undiagnosed or do not receive treatment for their depression for several reasons. Some are fearful of the stigma that comes along with the diagnosis and some do not have access to treatment. “Common structural obstacles to mental health services include inconvenient appointment times, transportation difficulties, long waiting lists and prioritization of crisis work in secondary care settings” (Sclare et al., 2015). Those who do receive treatment often do so in school-based setting instead of in a clinical environment (Ruffolo and Fischer, 2009).

There are gender differences in prevalence and symptoms reported for depression in boys and girls.(6) These differences are associated with Tanner stage III of (pubertal) development and ages 12-14.(2) Girls are twice more likely to be depressed than boys.(3, 7) Girls called Childline roughly 4 times more than boys about depression.(8) Boys are more likely to report anhedonia and morning fatigue whereas girls are more likely to feel sad, feel guilty, think they’re ugly and

Recent studies have shown that females are at a greater risk to experience depression than males (Daley & Rao, 2000, Morris, McGrath, Goldman & Rottenberg, 2014). Adolescence is a time in young girl’s lives that they are faced with transitions. A time when adolescence begins at 13 years old (Morris, McGrath, Goldman, Rottenberg, 2014) and young girls are faced with increases in social and academic demands (Daley & Rao, 2000). According to Gutman and Sameroff (2004), this is a time in an adolescent girl’s life that stressors can predict more serious problems (Gutman & Sameroff, 2004).

Depression is a serious mental illness that severely affects adolescents and can be linked strongly to Higgins, Self-discrepancy theory and the inconsistencies that occur from internal and external environments. In order to truly understand the extent to which depression affects adolescents and the community further studies need to be undertaken. Areas involving adolescents are significantly lacking and therefore tools to resolve discrepancies are limited. Furthermore, there is little research in depression amongst gender differences (males and females) however, we know that women are more likely to have the mental illness. Currents studies present the idea that discrepancies causing depression can be altered through the alteration

Depression is a severe mood disorder and it is the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder amongst adolescents. Depression is a state that adolescents can fall easily into. Teenagers spend more time with their friends than they do with their families which can result is possible rejection of peers. Individuals feel the need to have approval of self-worth by their peers. If they get disapproval, this can lead to brutal symptoms. (Platts, Kadosh, Lau 6). The symptoms can vary from self-worthlessness, anxiety, or a

Depression a word we’re familiar with especially when it comes to adults, we know adults get depress and we understand the reasons, with the high demands in life it’s not uncommon to get lost in the shuffle. Depression in adult is something we have known for many years, but what has surprised many of us is that adolescents also get depressed. I myself still don’t fully understand the reasons why or how this happens. I see it very often adolescent coming in to the ER because they are depressed and want to hurt themselves, and each and every single time I’m shock. What could be so bad in their lives that would make them think they have no way out? This is the reason why I choice this topic, I want to learn more of how this disease affects so many children and teens and what we can do to stop it.

The main issue, in receiving help to treat teenage depression, starts long before a plan can be discussed. An adolescent’s first issue in place is receiving a diagnosis. As symptoms first arise in a teen,

Many differences in symptoms and behavior occur between males and females with adolescent depression. For example, it had been found that females have stronger feelings of self-blame, guilt, distorted body image, etc. Because of these symptoms, females tend to become more open to troubles with their health as an outcome of their depression. Girls are more prone to crying a lot, and removing themselves from situations involving their close family and friends. Girls also may lose or gain weight due to feeling bad about themselves, or not paying attention to what they are eating. They often times lose sleep, or sleep too much. But, one of the most significantly worrisome things that these depressed adolescent girls do, is psychically hurting themselves, or becoming promiscuous in order to gain “self-worth”.

The teen years are usually the most challenging, yet most crucial time of one’s life. This is the time frame where one experiences many physical and emotional changes that may be hard to fully understand. The highest risk for depression actually falls under adolescents (Simon, Zieve). Through the various circumstances, falling into depression is very common amongst teenagers. Teenage depression is a serious mood disorder that often has no specific causes, but is in need of awareness of its contributing factors, symptoms, and how others should treat those who suffer from it.