Depression
Definition & Research
Depressive disorders include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder. The common feature of all of these disorder is the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function. What differs among them are issues of duration, timing, or presumed etiology.
In order to address concerns about the potential for the over diagnosis of and treatment for bipolar disorder in children, a new diagnosis, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, referring to the presentation of children with persistent irritability and frequent episodes of extreme behavioral dyscontrol is added to the DSM-5 for children up to 12 years of age.
Major depressive disorders represents the classic condition in this group of disorders. It is characterized by discrete episodes lasting at least two weeks in length, involving clear-cut changes in affect, cognition, and neurovegetative functions and inter-episode remissions. (DSM-5)
Depression is correlated with poor academic grades, and students with higher rates of depression are less likely to graduate from high school. Cognitive issues may include low tolerance for frustration and negative patterns of thinking. Depressed students often give up more quickly on tasks they perceive as daunting, refuse to attempt academic work they find too difficult, and quickly doubt their ability to independently complete academic tasks or solve problems. Memory, speech, physical and motor activity, and the ability to plan may also be affected. Many depressed children and adolescents are lethargic, speak laboriously, and have difficulty completely expressing thoughts and ideas. (Taken directly fromadcs.org)
Risks and prognostic factors:
In order to address concerns about the potential for the over diagnosis of and treatment for bipolar disorder in children, a new diagnosis, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, referring to the presentation of children with persistent irritability and frequent episodes of extreme behavioral dyscontrol is added to the DSM-5 for children up to 12 years of age.
Major depressive disorders represents the classic condition in this group of disorders. It is characterized by discrete episodes lasting at least two weeks in length, involving clear-cut changes in affect, cognition, and neurovegetative functions and inter-episode remissions. (DSM-5)
Depression is correlated with poor academic grades, and students with higher rates of depression are less likely to graduate from high school. Cognitive issues may include low tolerance for frustration and negative patterns of thinking. Depressed students often give up more quickly on tasks they perceive as daunting, refuse to attempt academic work they find too difficult, and quickly doubt their ability to independently complete academic tasks or solve problems. Memory, speech, physical and motor activity, and the ability to plan may also be affected. Many depressed children and adolescents are lethargic, speak laboriously, and have difficulty completely expressing thoughts and ideas. (Taken directly from
Risks and prognostic factors:
- Temperamental: Neuroticism is a well-established risk factor for the onset of major depressive disorder, and high levels appear to make individuals more likely to develop depressive episodes in response to stressful life events.
- Environmental: adverse childhood experiences are a risk factor. Stressful life events are also a risk factor.
- Genetic and physiological: first-degree family members of individuals with major depressive disorder have a risk for major depressive disorder 2-4fold higher than that of the general population.
Behaviour
Characteristics of Depression in Children (taken directly from ascd.org) :
Characteristics of depression in Children |
What it looks like in school |
Physical/somatic complaints |
Complaints of feeling sick, school absence, lack of participation, sleepiness |
Irritability |
Isolation from peers, problems with social skills, defiance |
Difficulty concentrating on tasks/activities |
poor work completion |
Short-term memory impairments |
Forgetting to complete assignments, difficulty concentrating |
Difficulties with planning, organizing, and executing tasks |
Refusing to complete work, missing deadlines |
Facial expressions or body language indicating depression or sadness |
working slowly |
Hypersensitivity |
Easily hurt feelings, crying, anger |
Poor performance and following through on tasks |
Poor work completion |
Inattention |
Distractability, restlessness |
Forgetfulness |
Poor work submission, variable academic performance |
Separation anxiety from parents to caregiver |
Crying, somatic complaints, frequent absences, school refusal |
Five or more of the following symptoms must be present during the same two-week period and represent a change in either depressed or loss of interest or pleasure. (all must occur nearly every day)
The criteria symptoms for major depressive disorder must be present nearly every day to be considered present, with the exception of weight change and suicidal ideation. The essential feature of a major depressive episode is a period of at least 2 weeks during which there is either depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. In children and adolescents, the mood may be irritable rather than sad. (DSM-5)
- Depressed mood most of the day, almost every day, and recognized by others.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Notably diminished interest or pleasure in all activities
- Major weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite
- Psychomotor agitation or slowing down
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (Which may be delusional)
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
- Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideations without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt, or a specific plan
The criteria symptoms for major depressive disorder must be present nearly every day to be considered present, with the exception of weight change and suicidal ideation. The essential feature of a major depressive episode is a period of at least 2 weeks during which there is either depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. In children and adolescents, the mood may be irritable rather than sad. (DSM-5)
Strategies
Because depression can have broad negative effects on students’ academic work and comfort in schools, schools need to provide a variety of accommodations and instructional strategies to increase these students’ success. The best approach is often individualization. Some strategies to help students with depression include:
- Give frequent feedback on academic, social and behavioral performance.
- Teach the student how to set goals and self-monitor
- Teach problem solving skills
- Coach the students in ways to organize, plan, and execute tasks demanded daily or weekly in school
- Develop modifications and accommodations to respond to the student’s fluctuations in mood, ability to concentrate, or side effects of medication.
- Give the student opportunities to engage in social interactions
- Monitor whether the student has suicidal thoughts
- Develop a home-school communication system to share information
- (taken from
ascd.org)
Resources
Teacher Resources
|
Student Resources
|
Teaching Students With Mental Health Disorders - Teacher Guide
This resource was provided by the BC Ministry of Education. It defines depression and provides strategies specifically for teachers. Schools and Classroom Strategies: Depression This resource breaks down strategies for teachers based on students’ behaviours. Helping Children Deal With Depression Additional Resources for Teachers. Depression and Sadness Management The resources available at the bottom of this website are very informative and useful for teachers. |
Students Against Depression
A user friendly website for students. Provides students with information on what depression is, what it looks like, and where they can go for support. Teen Depression Another user friendly resource for students to help them understand what depression is and where they can get help from. Elements Behavioural Health: Depression in high school This website is focused on how friends of students with depression can help their friends. |
Suicide
In severe cases of Depression, or any of the other disorders described on this website, suicidal ideality is a possibility for the student affected. Students disclose their suicidal thoughts to those that they feel they can trust, and for some students, the teacher figure is the trusted figure in their life. There are a number of websites that can provide more extensive information about suicidal students, and what to do should you find yourself the trusted figure for a student. Additionally, in the list below, are included two Canadian accessible, credible chatrooms where students can go if they need to talk. At times, chatrooms are easier for students than picking up the phone and calling someone,
I'm Alive: An Online Crisis Network
Kids Help Phone
YouthSpace.ca
The Suicidal Student
Dealing with a suicide threat
- This website is catered towards children who believe that they have nowhere to turn. All of the response volunteers are trained and certified in crisis intervention.
Kids Help Phone
- This website provides a space for children, and teens to go to call, or chat with someone online. They help with a wide variety of topics.
YouthSpace.ca
- Another online chat room for students who need someone to talk to
The Suicidal Student
- Information for teachers to help provide them with risk factors, how to address suicidal comments, and how to deal with student suicide.
Dealing with a suicide threat
- Information for teachers to help provide them with information about suicidal students and how they can help.