Adolecsent Depression Essay -- Suicide Teenagers Depressed Disorder Es

Adolecsent falling offThe suicide tell for adolescents has increased more(prenominal) than 200% over the cultivation decade. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the customary universe of discourse have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attendance psychiatric clinics suffer from belief. The legal age of teenage printings can be managed successfully by the primary cautiousness physician with the support of the family, says Maurice Blackman MB, FRCPC. Depression has been considered to be the major psychiatric sickness of the 20th century, affecting approximately eight million people in North America. Adults with psychiatric illness are 20 times more likely to die from accidents or suicide than adults without psychiatric disorder.1 Major depression, including bipolar affective disorder, often appears for the first time during the teenage years, and early acquaintance of these conditions will have profound effects on later unwho lesomeness and mortality. Is depression in adolescents a significant problem?The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade.2 Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression.3 Despite this, depression in this age congregation is greatly underdiagnosed, leading to serious difficulties in school, work and personal readjustment which often continue into adulthood. Why is depression in this age pigeonholing often missed?Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, mood lability, inconsolable introspection, great drama and heightened sensitivity. It is a time of rebellion and behavioral experimentation. The physicians gainsay is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimpos ed on the backdrop of a more transient, but judge, developmental storm. Diagnosis, therefore, must rely not altogether on a formal clinical interview but on information provided by collaterals, including parents, teachers and community advisors. The patients premorbid personality must be taken into account, as well as any obvious or insidious stress or trauma that may have preceded the clinical state. The alterative alliance is very important since the ad... ... should the patient be referred to a head-shrinker specializing in adolescents?Referral should be considered under a number of circumstances. If the physician cannot pursue in conversation with theteenager because of the patients resistance or the physicians own hazard about dealing with this age group, then referral issuggested. This is particularly important if the depression is judged to be severe or if there have been some suicidal concerns.Referral should also be considered if the patients condition does not im prove in the expected time or if there is any deteriorationor declension of the depression despite adequate treatment. It should be stressed that the majority of teenage depressions canbe managed successfully by the primary care physician with the support of the family. Works Cited1. Murphy, JM, Monson, RR, Olivier, DC, et al Affective disorders and mortality A general population study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 44470, 1987. 2. Hodgma, CH, McAnarny, ER Adolescent depression and suicide Rising problems. Hosp Pract 127(4)73,1992. 3. Kovaks, M Affective disorders in children and adolescents. Am J Psychol 44(2)209,1989