scholarly journals Efficacy of Treatments for Depression in Children and Adolescents

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Victoria A.J. Carr ◽  
Candice P. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

AbstractDepression is a highly complex mental disorder that for many years was believed to be absent in children and adolescents. It is now accepted that depression not only exists in this age group, but also is a major mental health problem (Weller & Weller, 2000a). Research suggests that the prevalence of depression in Australian children and adolescents is around 14% (Boyd, Kostanski, Gullone, Ollendick, & Shek, 2000). As depression appears to be highly prevalent, it is essential that efficacious treatments are identified, and that effective treatment strategies are established that best alleviate depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. In light of this need, this article details the criteria used to identify depression in children and adolescents, and examines the available evidence for the use of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.

Heterogeneity of reasons for attendance in frequent attenders of emergency departments and its relationship to future attendance

2021 ◽  
pp. emermed-2020-210412
Author(s):  
Richard Hotham ◽  
Colin O'Keeffe ◽  
Tony Stone ◽  
Suzanne M Mason ◽  
Christopher Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Frequent Attenders ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ed Visits

BackgroundEDs globally are under increasing pressure through rising demand. Frequent attenders are known to have complex health needs and use a disproportionate amount of resources. We hypothesised that heterogeneity of patients’ reason for attendance would be associated with multimorbidity and increasing age, and predict future attendance.MethodWe analysed an anonymised dataset of all ED visits over the course of 2014 in Yorkshire, UK. We identified 15 986 patients who had five or more ED encounters at any ED in the calendar year. Presenting complaint was categorised into one of 14 categories based on the Emergency Care Data Set (ECDS). We calculated measures of heterogeneity (count of ECDs categories and entropy of categories) and examined their relationship to total number of ED visits and to patient characteristics. We examined the predictive value of these and other features on future attendance.ResultsMost frequent attenders had more than one presenting complaint type. Heterogeneity increased with number of attendances, but heterogeneity adjusted for number of attendances did not vary substantially with age or sex. Heterogeneity was associated with the presence of one or more contacts for a mental health problem. For a given number of attendances, prior mental health contact but not heterogeneity was associated with further attendance.ConclusionsHeterogeneity of presenting complaint can be quantified and analysed for ED use: it is increased where there is a history of mental disorder but not with age. This suggests it reflects more than the number of medical conditions.

scholarly journals Depressive Risk among Italian Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Children and Adolescents during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Serra ◽  
Anna Presicci ◽  
Luigi Quaranta ◽  
Maria Rosaria Erminia Urbano ◽  
Lucia Marzulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Children ◽  
Parent Version

Abstract Background Children and adolescents and low-income individuals are considered particularly vulnerable for mental health implications during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Depression is one of the most frequent negative emotional responses during an epidemic outbreak, mainly due to the imposed restriction of social contacts. We aimed to assess depressive symptomatology in a sample of Italian low-income minors and to determine if pandemic-related stressors and pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnoses would behave as risk factors for depressive symptoms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study during July 2020, at the end of the Italian first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 109 Italian socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, from 7 to 17 years. We used an online survey to collect socio-demographic and clinical data and information about pandemic-related stressors, and to assess depressive symptoms with the Children’s Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2), Parent Version (Emotional Problems subscale) and Self-Report Short Form. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and potential risk factors for mental health. Results 22% and 14% of participants showed depressive symptoms at the CDI 2 Parent Version and Self-Report, respectively. Participants coming from families experiencing a lack of basic supplies during the pandemic (34.9%) were more expected to show depressive symptoms at CDI 2 Parent Version. Participants with a pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnosis (26.6%) were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms measured by CDI 2 Parent Version. Conclusions The results of our study may be representative of a particular group of frail subjects, the socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, who were more vulnerable to depressive symptoms if they suffered from a paucity of essential supplies during the pandemic or had pre-existing neurodevelopmental disorders. The promotion of educational and child-care programs and activities could be crucial in sustaining the prevention of mental distress in those frail subjects who particularly need support outside the family.

Prevalence of Depression among the Medical Students in Nepalgunj Medical College

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Binod Kumar Yadav ◽  
Gaurav Jung Shah ◽  
Rahul Yadav ◽  
Rajendra Mahat ◽  
Aayush Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Medical Studies ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Common Mental Health Problem ◽  
Pocket Money ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
The World

Introduction: Mental health is an important aspect of overall health of a person. Depression is a common mental health problem all around the world. According to WHO, as many as 350 million people suffer from depression all over the globe. Medical studies are well known to be stressful for students and psychological problems like depression are quite common among medical students. Although many studies are done on mental health of students worldwide, studies on depression among medical students of Nepal are quite few. Aims: To find out the prevalence of depression among medical students in Nepalgunj Medical College. Methods: A descriptive study was done in the batch of 2016 with a Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) Questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of depression among the study subjects was found to be 25.9%. Bullying was found to be a strong factor responsible for depression among medical students. Conclusion: Depression was highly prevalent among the medical students. Students who were bullied and had appropriate pocket money suffered from higher levels of depression.

Glucocorticoids in the Physiological and Transcriptional Regulation of 5-HT1A Receptor and the Pathogenesis of Depression

2020 ◽  
pp. 107385842097571
Author(s):  
Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Antagonist Activity ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Circulating Levels

There is growing increase in the global prevalence of depression, but treatment outcome of this highly disabling disease is not satisfactory. Many patients are not benefitted by the currently prescribed antidepressants—together with this partial remission is very common. Improving treatment strategies and developing better therapeutic agents for treating depression is therefore highly needed. Stress-related epigenetic changes play a critical role in the pathogenesis as well as treatment of depression. Stressful events activate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to increase circulating levels of glucocorticoids (GCs), and a greater sensitivity to this fright and flight response increases risk of depression. A role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in responses to stress and in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression is well established. Substantial evidence supports a critical role of 5-HT1A receptors in these effects of 5-HT. The present article targets stress-induced higher and sustained increases of GCs and mediated influences on the physiological as well transcriptional regulation of 5-HT1A receptors to evaluate their causal role in the pathogenesis of depression. It is suggested that synthetic compounds with antagonist activity for GC receptors and agonist activity for 5-HT1A receptors may prove better therapeutic agents for treating depression.

scholarly journals Attitudinal and demographic factors associated with seeking help and receiving antidepressant medication for symptoms of common mental disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena A. Manescu ◽  
Emily J. Robinson ◽  
Claire Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problem ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Background Despite the increased attention given to improvement of mental health-related knowledge and attitudes, rates of help-seeking for mental illness remain low even in countries with well-developed mental health services. This study examines the relationships between attitudes to mental illness, symptoms of common mental disorder and seeking-help and receiving medication for a mental health problem. Methods We used data from the nationally representative Health Survey for England 2014 to design three logistic regression models to test for the effects of attitudes to mental illness (measured by a shortened version of the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill, CAMI scale) on: recent contact with a doctor for a mental health problem; use of any type of mental health service in the last 12 months; and having antidepressants currently prescribed, while controlling for symptoms of common mental disorder (measured by the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ). We also tested for an interaction between attitudes to mental illness and symptoms of common mental disorder on the outcomes. Results A significant but very small effect of CAMI score was found on ‘antidepressants currently prescribed’ model (OR = 1.01(1.00, 1.02) but not on the two indicators of help-seeking. We also found a significant but very small interaction between CAMI and GHQ scores on recent contact with a doctor (OR = 0.99, 95% CI (0.990, 0.998); adjusted Wald test P = 0.01)). Knowing someone with a mental illness had a significant positive effect on help-seeking indicated by: (a) recent contact with a doctor (2.65 (1.01, 6.98)) and (b) currently prescribed antidepressant (2.67 (1.9, 3.75)) after controlling for attitudes to mental illness. Conclusions Our results suggest that knowing someone with a mental health problem seems to have a further positive effect on help-seeking, beyond improving attitudes to mental illness. Furthermore, multiple different types and aspects of stigma may contribute to help-seeking behaviours, consequently multi-faceted approaches are likely to be most efficient.

scholarly journals Do Depressive Symptoms Shape Blacks’ Perceptions of Stress Over Time?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
DeAnnah R Byrd ◽  
Roland J Thorpe ◽  
Keith E Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background and Objectives Previous studies have linked stress to multiple negative mental health outcomes, including depression. This established stress–depression association is typically examined in one direction and cross-sectionally. This study examined the bidirectional relationships between depressive symptoms and changes in perceived stress over time in Blacks. Research Design and Methods The present study uses a community-dwelling sample of 450 Black adults, aged 51–96 years old, who participated in the Baltimore Study of Black Aging—Patterns of Cognitive Aging. Perceived stress—measured by the Perceived Stress Scale—and depressive symptoms—measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale—were both assessed at baseline and follow-up 33 months later. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine 2 bidirectional longitudinal relationships between (1) stress–depression and (2) depression–stress, and whether these associations are modified by age. Results Initial analyses testing the typical stress–depression relationship showed an effect in the expected direction, that is stress leading to more depressive symptoms over time, adjusting for model covariates, but the effect was not statistically significant (b = 0.014, p = .642). After accounting for baseline perceived stress level, age, sex, education, and chronic health conditions, depressive symptoms were positively associated with follow-up stress (b = 0.210, p < .000). The depression–stress association further varied by age group such that the impact of baseline depression on changes in perceived stress was greatest in Blacks in their 60s versus those in their 50s (b = 0.267, p = .001), controlling for model covariates. Discussion and Implications Contrary to previous work, the results suggest that an individual’s mental health shapes his/her perception of stressful events and this relationship varies by age group. While the typical finding (stress impacting depression) was not significant, the findings reported here highlight the importance of considering the possible bidirectional nature of the relationships between psychosocial measures of stress and mental health in later life among Blacks.

scholarly journals Gender Minority Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Transitioned Swiss Transpersons

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Jäggi ◽  
Lena Jellestad ◽  
Salvatore Corbisiero ◽  
Dirk J. Schaefer ◽  
Josef Jenewein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Minority Stress Model

Compared to the general population, transpersons are exposed to higher levels of discrimination and violence. The stigmatization of transpersons can lead to physical and psychological problems. In particular, transindividuals exhibit a higher prevalence of depression compared to the cispopulation. The gender minority stress model (GMSM) provides a comprehensive theoretical basis to interpret these biopsychosocial interactions. Using the GMSM, this study aimed to identify associations between experience of stigmatization and the mental health of transitioned transpersons using correlational analyses and multiple regression models. In total, 143 transpersons were recruited. Multivariate analyses identified three variables (i.e., unemployment, nonaffirmation of gender identity, and internalized transphobia) to explain variance of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, a mediation of the proximal factors between distal factors and depressive symptoms was found. However, the moderating effect of resilience factors was not demonstrated. The results confirmed the importance of distal and proximal minority stressors for the mental health of transpersons. At the same time, the protective influence of resilience factors seemed to be surprisingly minor. In the treatment of transpersons, practitioners should not only focus on somatic aspects, but also consider the person’s previous experiences of stigmatization.

scholarly journals PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE USUÁRIOS DE PSICOTRÓPICOS DE UM CAPS DA ZONA DA MATA DO ESTADO DE RONDÔNIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-82
Author(s):  
Leidiane Dias Franskoviak ◽  
Tânia Eugênia da Silva ◽  
Marielli Da Silva Carlotto ◽  
Eraldo Carlos Batista
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Psychotropic Drugs ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
Developing Strategies

O objetivo deste trabalho foi delinear o perfil epidemiológico dos usuários do CAPS do município de Rolim de Moura, no Estado de Rondônia, que foram medicalizados com psicotrópicos no ano de 2014. Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental, de abordagem quantitativa e de natureza descritiva. Os resultados mostraram predominância do gênero feminino, 70,7%, bem como a faixa etária de 40 a 60 anos, com 56,1% para ambos os sexos. Com relação ao estado civil, a maioria, 47,3%, é casada e estudou apenas até o ensino fundamental. Entre as ocupações, lideram as donas de casa para as mulheres, 37,55%, e a de agricultor, 14,33%, entre os homens. As hipóteses de diagnóstico mostram prevalência de Depressão, 40,8%, entre as mulheres e, 29,5%, entre os homens. Quanto aos psicofármacos, os antidepressivos seguidos dos ansiolíticos lideram como medicamentos mais dispensados no período investigado. Concluiu-se que as características da população estudada apontam para a necessidade de desenvolvimento de estratégias de apoio psicossocial que proporcionem ações efetivas na prevenção e no cuidado da saúde mental dos usuários.Palavras-chave: Psicotrópicos. CAPS. Perfil epidemiológico. ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to outline the epidemiological profile of CAPS users in the municipality of Rolim de Moura in the Rondonia State, who were medicalized with psychotropic drugs in 2014. This is a documental research, with a quantitative approach of descriptive nature. The results shown predominance of women, 70.7%, with an age group ranging from 40 to 60 years, with 56.1% for both genders. Regarding marital status, the majority, 47.3%, is married and studied only up to primary school. Among the occupations, the housewives led for women, 37.55%, and farmer, 14.33% to men. Diagnosis hypotheses show prevalence of Depression, 40.8%, between women and, 29.5%, between men. As for the psychotropic, the antidepressants followed by anxiolytics led as most dispensed drugs during the investigated period. It was concluded that the characteristics of the studied population point towards the need of developing strategies for psychosocial support, which provide effective actions in the prevention and care of the mental health of users.Keywords: Psychotropic. CAPS. Epidemiological profile.

scholarly journals Attitudinal and demographic factors associated with seeking help and receiving antidepressant medication for symptoms of common mental disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Andreea Manescu ◽  
Emily J. Robinson ◽  
Claire Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problem ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Background: Despite the increased attention given to improvement of mental health-related knowledge and attitudes, rates of help-seeking for mental illness remain low even in countries with well-developed mental health services. This study examines the relationships between attitudes to mental illness, symptoms of common mental disorder and seeking-help and receiving medication for a mental health problem. Methods: We used data from the nationally representative Health Survey for England 2014 to design three logistic regression models to test for the effects of attitudes to mental illness (measured by a shortened version of the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill, CAMI scale) on: recent contact with a doctor for a mental health problem; use of any type of mental health service in the last 12 months; and having antidepressants currently prescribed, while controlling for symptoms of common mental disorder (measured by the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ). We also tested for an interaction between attitudes to mental illness and symptoms of common mental disorder on the outcomes. Results: A significant but very small effect of CAMI score was found on ‘antidepressants currently prescribed’ model (OR=1.01(1.00, 1.02) but not on the two indicators of help-seeking. We also found a significant but very small interaction between CAMI and GHQ scores on recent contact with a doctor (OR= 0.99, 95% CI (0.990, 0.998); adjusted Wald test P=0.01)). Knowing someone with a mental illness had a significant positive effect on help-seeking indicated by: (a) recent contact with a doctor (2.65 (1.01, 6.98)) and (b) currently prescribed antidepressant (2.67 (1.9, 3.75)) after controlling for attitudes to mental illness. Conclusions: Our results suggest that knowing someone with a mental health problem seems to have a further positive effect on help-seeking, beyond improving attitudes to mental illness. Furthermore, multiple different types and aspects of stigma may contribute to help-seeking behaviours, consequently multi-faceted approaches are likely to be most efficient.

scholarly journals Undiagnosed depression, persistent depressive symptoms and seeking mental health care: analysis of immigrant and non-immigrant participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Farid ◽  
P. Li ◽  
D. Da Costa ◽  
W. Afif ◽  
J. Szabo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Female Immigrants ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Aims Early diagnosis and treatment of depression are associated with better prognosis. We used baseline data of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (2012–2015; ages 45–85 years) to examine differences in prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed depression (UD) between immigrants and non-immigrants at baseline and persistent and/or emerging depressive symptoms (DS) 18 months later. At this second time point, we also examined if a mental health care professional (MHCP) had been consulted. Methods We excluded individuals with any prior mood disorder and/or current anti-depressive medication use at baseline. UD was defined as the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression 10 score ⩾10. DS at 18 months were defined as Kessler 10 score ⩾19. The associations of interest were examined in multivariate logistic regression models. Results Our study included 4382 immigrants and 18 620 non-immigrants. The mean age (standard deviation) in immigrants was 63 (10.3) years v. 65 (10.7) years in non-immigrants and 52.1% v. 57.1% were male. Among immigrants, 12.2% had UD at baseline of whom 34.2% had persistent DS 18 months later v. 10.6% and 31.4%, respectively, among non-immigrants. Female immigrants were more likely to have UD than female non-immigrants (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.25–1.80) but no difference observed for men. The risk of persistent DS and consulting an MHCP at 18 months did not differ between immigrants and non-immigrants. Conclusions Female immigrants may particularly benefit from depression screening. Seeking mental health care in the context of DS should be encouraged.

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