Depressive symptoms in adolescence: the association with multiple health risk behaviors (original) (raw)

Identifying and treating adolescent mental health problems in primary health care

The period from late adolescence to the mid twenties, known as transition to grown up age, is a risk period for development depression. Stomach pain, headache and fatigue are common symptoms in children and adolescents suffering from depression. Patients often fail to mention their emotional problems during the family physician's consultation. Together with the physician's insufficient ability to recognize the hidden part in the physician-patient relationship, it makes early diagnosis and adequate intervention more difficult. Aim: To enlighten the role of a well-educated family physician as a coordinator in team work and shared medical care in identifying and treating adolescent mental health problems. Method: Family physician's bio-psychosocial approach. Results: Case report of an adolescent girl who developed depression connected to multiple family environment problems is presented. Problems connected to depression started five years ago. They appeared as somatic troub...

Adolescent mental health: A guide for the primary care provider

Women's healthcare, 2022

Mental health disorders are common among adolescents, with anxiety and depression being the most frequently encountered. To reduce severity of illness and risk of lifelong implications, it is essential for women's health nurse practitioners and other clinicians who provide adolescent primary care to be skilled at routine mental health screening and evaluation, and able to confidently manage findings. This article provides a brief overview of the prevalence of and risks for depression and anxiety among adolescents in the United States, evidence-based resources for patient evaluation, and management options for these common mental health conditions identified in primary care settings.

Expert Survey for the Management of Adolescent Depression in Primary Care

2010

OBJECTIVE. Primary care clinics have become the "de facto" mental health clinics for teens with mental health problems such as depression; however, there is little guidance for primary care professionals who are faced with treating this population. This study surveyed experts on key management issues regarding adolescent depression in primary care where empirical literature was scant or absent.

Interventions for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care

PEDIATRICS, 2006

BACKGROUND. Depression in adolescents is underrecognized and undertreated despite its poor long-term outcomes, including risk for suicide. Primary care settings may be critical venues for the identification of depression, but there is little information about the usefulness of primary care interventions.

Factors influencing primary care attendance in adolescents with high levels of depressive symptoms

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2009

Background Although depression is common amongst adolescents attending general practice, little is known about factors which influence consultation. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to GP attendance in adolescents with high levels of mood symptoms. Methods Case-control study of 13 to 17-year-olds attending (cases, N = 156) and not attending (controls, N = 120) an urban general practice during a 6-month period; questionnaires on depressive symptoms (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire), physical symptoms (Child Somatisation Inventory), socio-demographic data and attitudes were completed. Results Attenders had significantly more depressive and physical symptoms. In the comparison between 63 attenders and 34 non-attenders with a high level of depressive symptoms, attendance was significantly linked to lower socioeconomic status, non-White ethnicity, nonintact families, and not believing that doctors are only interested in physical symptoms. On logistic regression analysis, attendance in males with depressive symptoms was predicted by more physical and less marked depressive symptoms; in females by non-White ethnicity and not believing doctors are only interested in physical symptoms. Conclusion Both socio-demographic factors and adolescent attitudes influence general practitioner attendance in adolescents with high levels of depressive symptoms. These findings may help inform interventions to facilitate help seeking in primary care for young people with high levels of depressive symptoms.

Usual Care for Adolescent Depression From Symptom Identification Through Treatment Initiation

JAMA Pediatrics, 2016

IMPORTANCE Published guidelines describing effective adolescent depression care in primary care settings include screening, assessment, treatment initiation, and symptom monitoring. It is unclear the extent to which these steps are documented in patient health records. OBJECTIVE To determine rates of appropriate follow-up care for adolescents with newly identified depression symptoms in 3 large health systems. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this analysis conducted from March to September 2014, structured data retrospectively extracted from electronic health records were analyzed for 3 months following initial symptom identification to determine whether the patient was followed up and, if so, whether treatment was initiated and/or symptoms were monitored. Records were collected from 2 large health maintenance organizations in the western United States and a network of community health centers in the Northeast. The study group included adolescents (N = 4612) with newly identified depression symptoms, defined as an elevated score on the Patient Health Questionnaire (Ն10) and/or a diagnosis of depression. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Rates of treatment initiation, symptom monitoring, and follow-up care documented within 3 months of initial symptom identification. RESULTS Among the 4612 participants, the mean (SD) age at index event was 16.0 (2.3) years, and 3060 were female (66%). Treatment was initiated for nearly two-thirds of adolescents (79% of those with a diagnosis of major depression; n = 1023); most received psychotherapy alone or in combination with medications. However, in the 3 months following identification, 36% of adolescents received no treatment (n = 1678), 68% did not have a follow-up symptom assessment (n = 3136), and 19% did not receive any follow-up care (n = 854). Further, 40% of adolescents prescribed antidepressant medication did not have any documentation of follow-up care for 3 months (n = 356). Younger age

Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): II. Treatment and Ongoing Management

PEDIATRICS, 2007

OBJECTIVES. To develop clinical practice guidelines to assist primary care clinicians in the management of adolescent depression. This second part of the guidelines addresses treatment and ongoing management of adolescent depression in the primary care setting. METHODS. Using a combination of evidence- and consensus-based methodologies, guidelines were developed in 5 phases as informed by (1) current scientific evidence (published and unpublished), (2) a series of focus groups, (3) a formal survey, (4) an expert consensus workshop, and (5) revision and iteration among members of the steering committee. RESULTS. These guidelines are targeted for youth aged 10 to 21 years and offer recommendations for the management of adolescent depression in primary care, including (1) active monitoring of mildly depressed youth, (2) details for the specific application of evidence-based medication and psychotherapeutic approaches in cases of moderate-to-severe depression, (3) careful monitoring of ...