Question

As adolescents separate from their parents and gain a sense of control, sometimes they are unable to balance stresses. As a result, depression may occur, and, at times, suicide may be the outcome. Choose the topic of either adolescent depression or adolescent suicide. Discuss contributing factors and signs and symptoms that may be observed or assessed in these clients. Describe primary, secondary, and tertiary methods of health prevention for this topic. Research community and state resources and describe at least two of these for your chosen topic. What nursing interventions could you use to assist an adolescent you suspect is depressed beyond referring the adolescent to a state or community resource?

Your individual response should have a 1. minimum of 300 words excluding your reference citation 2. need to use two peer-reviewed/scholarly resources to support your response 3. at least one in-intext citation

Answer 1

adolescent depression also referred as Teen depression.It is a serious medical problem that causes a persistent feeing of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It effects how they think, feel and behave.Some cause of depression in teenagers seem to be genetic, however, there ae risk factors that include family history of depression, long term illness or disability, a trauma or loss, and difficulties at school or home. Signs and symptoms could be physical, mental or emotional.Physical symptoms include unexplained aches and pains, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, change in eating habits which leads to weight gain or weight loss, constant tiredness or body movement that seem slow, restless or agitated. Mental and emotional symptoms are.. irritability, difficulty thinking and making decisions, or having low self-esteem, being critical, and or feeling that others are unfairly critical, feeling of guilt and hopelessness, social withdrawal, anxiety, and thinking about death or feeling suicidal.
Primary prevention for teen depression starts at home. Parents sometimes will have a hard time noticing signs of depression because teenagers have a tendency to have emotional ups and down. The best thing to do would be to talk and listen to the kids. Parents should be encouraging teens to be involved in activities and be involved in their activities. Most importantly parents should be role models. Risk factors for teen depression include alcoholic and abusive parents. Other primary preventions would include programs such as the Penn Resiliency Program and Coping with Stress courses.
Secondary and tertiary prevention would involve hospitalization if the teen committed suicide, this would also involve medical and psychological therapy. The primary preventions mentioned above would be best initiated as well to prevent this from happening again.

nursing intervention for depression is to help your patient conceptualize their goals. Help them identify their strengths and how to use them for their recovery. These include:
Acceptance and awareness of self
Personal hygiene
Expression of anger and guilt in the appropriate way
Realistic resolution of problems
Verbal expression of feelings
Do not hurry them when they are talking
Be calm and supportive when they show irritability or anger
Encourage them to verbalize their feelings and worries
Maintain a therapeutic distance
Listen to physical complaints
Appraise their strengths and accomplishments