Adolescent Depression and Suicide

Paper Summary:

This paper examines why it is important to look at the problem of adolescent depression and suicide from the perspective of the different kinds of disorders that cause it. The writer claims that there is a need to study the ways that these disorders can be managed so that the depression can be reduced and the risk of suicide lessened. In order to do that, the paper examines major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. It also includes a literature review that deals with treatment, including various approaches that are being used or have been used in the past to treat depression and the risk of suicide in the adolescent population. Suicide also has a section devoted to it, dealing with the various risk factors and why adolescents choose to take their own lives. Prevention is also discussed, and the usefulness of the research findings are dealt with and tied into the recommendations that will have to be made for the future of this issue.
Introduction
Types of Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Risk Factors in Major Depression
Dysthymic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Literature Review - Treatment of Mood Disorders
Validity and Reliability of Studies
Psychodynamic Approaches
Behavioral Approaches
Biological Approaches
Antidepressant Drugs
Drug Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression
Suicide
Why do Children and Adolescents Commit Suicide?
Who Commits Suicide?
Risk Factors for Suicide
How can Children/Adolescent Suicide be Prevented?
Usefulness in the Field of Social Work
How Useful are the Research Findings?
How Will These Findings Make a Difference for Practitioners?
Conclusion and Recommendations for Future Research
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"The different types of mood disorders are one of the most important things that should be discussed. These various mood disorders can all lead to depression. However, since depression can be caused by several things, it is vital that there is an understanding about the mood disorders, what they are, and what they mean for treatment options where adolescents are concerned. The first type of mood disorder is major depressive disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is widely utilized to determine whether an individual may have major depressive disorder, and whether they have experienced a major depressive episode. An episode such as this can be indicated by various things, but generally it must have at least five of the following characteristics for two weeks or more: depressed mood; loss of interest or pleasure; significant weight or appetite change; insomnia or hypersomnia; psychomotor agitation or retardation; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of inappropriate guilt or worthlessness; diminished ability to think or concentrate; and/or recurrent thoughts or death or suicide (Stanard, 2000)."

More papers on Adolescent Depression and Suicide:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 25040 : "Adolescent Depression And Suicide"
• Research Paper # 29297 : "Adolescent Depression and the Family"
• Research Paper # 115675 : "Depression and Suicide in Adolescents"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: