1Week 10 Final ProjectAdolescents and DepressionDruscilla HollimanFebruary 2, 2021
2Population and Presenting ProblemAdolescence is a period characterized by multiple challenges and disruptions set at ages13-18 years old. In addition, historically thishas been a time period and remains yet today insociety a period of time that causes significant risk to their health and well-being. With theconstant changes around them a shift in their thinking happens then biologically andpsychologically they beginto think more abstractly, but struggle with the skills and experiencesneeded to adjust to those changes. As a result, they begin to experience new problems withmental illnesses, morespecifically depression. Depression is common but often unrecognized inadolescents (Thapar, Collishaw, Pine, & Thapar, 2012).Depression is a mental health condition that is associated with high-level stress and howit affects how one thinks.According to a recent nationally representative survey across theUnited States, 20% of adolescents will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime that willimpact their ability to function (Merikangas et al., 2010). The focus for those interested inadolescent interventions in the area of mental health should be focused on evidence-basedpractices that promote positive development and reduce risky behaviors. Implementing effectiveprevention and intervention strategies can help with early detection and are crucial to preventingself-harming behaviors. Therefore, a key component to preventing teen depression and suicide isfor professionals, parents/guardians, teachers, other supportive adults (e.g., coaches, religiousyouth group advisors, after school program leaders), and youth to remain aware of such warningsigns and risk factors and to appropriately intervene when necessary (King & Vidourek, 2012).Depressive disorders include disruptive mood, dysregulation disorder, major depressivedisorder (including major depressive episode), persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia),premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, depressivedisorder due to another medical condition, other specified depressive disorder, and unspecified
3depressive disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Depression and suicide continueto claim a sizeable amount of youth despite intervention efforts. In order for adolescents to feel apositive sense of well-being, they must learn to cope with negative emotions. An important skillin working with adolescents is being able to identify common developmental concerns, issuesneeding closer observation, and developmental observations requiring attention (Holosko,Dulmus, & Sower, 2013).Adolescence is a significant time in which major mental disorders begin and if leftuntreated they begin to engage in risky behavior and are exposed to social conditions that impacttheir development. To address the problem behaviors and clinical disorders so many adolescents
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