PSY 7-2

Running head: DEPRESSIVE DISORDER 1

DEPRESSIVE DISORDER 8

Depressive Disorder

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Depressive Disorder

Overview of Depressive Disorder

A depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by severe irritability or sadness that interferes with the functioning of the person or causes significant distress (Thapar, A., Pine, D., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A., 2017). A depressive disorder is experienced not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. In children and adolescents, there are three types of depressive disorder; there is major depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and persistent depressive disorder also known as dysthymia (Thapar, A., Pine, D., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A., 2017). The cause of depression in adolescents and children is yet to be established. However, it is believed that depressive disorder can be caused by risk factors that are genetically determined interacting with environmental stress such as deprivation in early life.

The manifestation of depressive disorder in adolescents and children is linked with the typical concerns of the age group, such as playing and school work (Long et al., 2019). For example, when a playful child or a social teenager suddenly withdraws from society, stops playing and interacting with others, it would be essential to consider depressive disorder. For children and adolescents having an intellectual disability, the depressive disorder may manifest through behavioral disturbances and somatic symptoms. As earlier mentioned, there are three types of depressive disorder with each having specific signs and symptoms.

Some of the manifestations of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder are irritability and temper outbursts that are recurrent and severe. Furthermore, the symptoms have to happen in two out of the three settings; home, school and with peers. There is also the major depressive disorder that often occurs after puberty. This one has various manifestations such as losing interest in most of the activities almost daily, in a period of two weeks, and also, inappropriate guilt, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal ideation and recurrent death thoughts. Lastly, is the persistent depressive disorder. In such cases, the person may either have a huge appetite or poor appetite, insomnia or hyposomnia, fatigue or low energy amongst others.

Diagnosing a depressive disorder includes evaluating the signs mentioned above and symptoms as well as with the outlined criteria (Prinstein, M. J., Youngstrom, E. A., Mash, E. J., & Barkley, R. A., 2019). Moreover, for more information about the behavior of the child or the adolescent, interviews with the parents, friends as well as teachers and the child are conducted. This gives the professional further information on the history of the patient in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Also, other laboratory tests are conducted to exclude other disorders with similar symptoms. After the diagnosis of the depression, further analysis is carried out on the social and family setting on the patient to identify issues that may have triggered the depression. I believe that to treat the depressive disorder, psychotherapy is essential, not only for the patient but also for the family as well, the family should also receive psychotherapy.

Causes and interventions of Depressive disorder

As earlier discussed in the overview, the exact cause of the depressive disorder is unknown. However, it is believed that the interaction of various risk factors leads to the development of depressive disorders. Some of the risk factors contributing to the development of the depressive disorder in children as well as adolescents include genetics, and the brain having chemical imbalancements (Long et al., 2019). Also, the history and environment of the child contribute to the development of the depressive disorder in the person. For example, a child who grew up having a poor relationship with parents, being a victim of sexual abuse, having past trauma has a higher probability of having depression disorder. Also, a child born in a family with a history of personality disorder has a high likelihood of suffering from a depressive disorder.

Treatment of depressive disorder includes psychotherapy, antidepressants, and joint measures directed at the school and family which in some cases are termed as lifestyle changes (Prinstein, M. J., Youngstrom, E. A., Mash, E. J., & Barkley, R. A., 2019). Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, the patient is educated by the therapist on the specific depressive disorder that he or she is suffering from and offers strategies to help cope up with the symptoms. Therapy may involve behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, supportive counselling, as well as behavioral management problems. In situations where the child is a threat to their personal safety, the child or adolescent may be required to stay in a psychiatric hospital. For medication, the psychiatrist may prescribe for the patient antidepressants, stimulants, or antipsychotic medication to stabilize the mood of the patient. For lifestyle changes, both the school and family are involved. The patient is being helped to change their lifestyle to one that is healthier, for instance, exercising, having a healthy diet, proper sleep and stress management.

Summary

The depressive disorder affects the general lifestyle of a child, be it an adolescent, a pre-adolescent or a young child. It has no known cause; however, there are risk factors that trigger the development of the disease. The disease is treated in conjunction with three procedures, psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. However, I believe that to make the treatment more effective; the family should also be involved in psychotherapy. This is due to the fact that the depression disorder has affected not only the child but also the entire family. Moreover, if the child was suicidal, it might lead to the family being overly cautious near the child or marginalizing the child and taking it as a point of weakness, therefore, making the intervention to be of no value. The family needs to cope up with the child and undergo therapy to foster a positive and favorable environment for the treatment of the depressive disorder. This will quicken the treatment and prevent the disorder from happening in any other family member as well.

References

Long, E. E., Griffith, J. M., Haraden, D. A., Jivanjee‐Shakir, F. F., Schweizer, T. H., & Hankin,

B. L. (2019). Depressive Disorders in Childhood. The Encyclopedia of Child and

Adolescent Development, 1-12.

Prinstein, M. J., Youngstrom, E. A., Mash, E. J., & Barkley, R. A. (Eds.). (2019). Treatment of

disorders in childhood and adolescence. Guilford Publications.

Thapar, A., Pine, D., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A. (Eds.). (2017).

Rutter's child and adolescent psychiatry. John Wiley & Sons. P874-892