Nursing

Research the range of contemporary issues teenagers face today. In a 500-750-word paper, choose one issue (besides teen pregnancy) and discuss its effect on adolescent behavior and overall well-being. Include the following in your submission:

Describe the contemporary issue and explain what external stressors are associated with this issue.
Outline assessment strategies to screen for this issue and external stressors during an assessment for an adolescent patient. Describe what additional assessment questions you would need to ask and define the ethical parameters regarding what you can and cannot share with the parent or guardian.
Discuss support options for adolescents encountering external stressors. Include specific support options for the contemporary issue you presented.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

ANSWER

Depression Among Teenagers

Teen depression is a serious mental health issue that causes a continuous feeling of loss and sadness of interest in activities. This affects how teenagers feel, think, and behave and leads to functional, emotional, and physical problems. Despite the fact depression can occur anytime in life there may be a difference between adults and teens. The National Institute of Mental health indicated that if a teen is stressed and overwhelmed with worries and sadness for a long time, there is a lack of concentration and fail to enjoy the activities that were enjoyable before the teens faced depression and need to be examined (Beirão et al., 2020). This paper has focused on depression among teens as a contemporary issue and discussed its effect on overall well-being and adolescent behavior.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that one out of five teens has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Considerably, mental health disorders can influence the performance of individuals, relationships, and school life which may result in suicide which one of the major causes of death among adolescents. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can lead to an inability to handle daily routine duties in teens, sleeping problems, lack of interest and focus, eating disorders, and interaction with peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

Many environmental and biological factors can lead to depression. The biological factors comprise of imbalance in brain chemicals such as norepinephrine or serotonin, reduced activity in various areas of the brain, hormonal changes as well as puberty. Every teen expresses and reacts differently to gender-based treatment among the females and males and sexual identity. On the other hand, psychological factors include low self-esteem, self-shame, body image shame, feeling guilty, learning, self-criticism, and cognitive issues due to feelings of helplessness and anxiety while facing negative events and relationship changes with peers or parents peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

The environmental stressors include violence, poverty, trauma, sexual abuse, bullying, problems with loved ones or family, broken relationships with family, sexual indulgence due to drugs, peer pressure, and alcohol. Teens with poor academic performance, low physical activity, and loss of relationships are at a higher risk of depression. Studies have indicated that exposure to technology and environmental toxins has greatly influenced the mental health of teens (Beirão et al., 2020). For instance, excessive use of mobile phones and electronic devices such as computers have negatively influenced the mental health of teens. This is because spending excessive time on electronic devices may lead to preventing individuals from engaging in activities such as sports that prevent depression.

The identification of depression among teenagers was developed through standards described in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The evaluations of the teens are done over interviews unaccompanied or with the patients which includes the assessment of the functional impairments and the prevailing psychiatric disorders. DSM forms an identification of major depressing disorder for a minimum two weeks through where there is the loss of interest, miserable mood, and lack of inclination in almost all actions peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

Moreover, there are a minimum of four additional signs which include sleep disturbance, variations in weight, psychomotor activity variations, feelings of worthlessness, tiredness, and impaired concentration as well as inability to make appropriate decisions. The extent of the depressive disorder can be categorized on intensity, sign count, and level of damage. Minor depression can be indicated by five to six signs that are minor in severity with slight impairment. Increased depression occurs when the patient encounters all depressive signs that have been indicated in the DSM-5.

Depression screening is a vital way of detecting and assessing this disorder among teenagers. The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents is the most ordinarily utilized tool for detecting depression and major depressive condition amongst teenagers. The PHQ-A is a depression tool that consists of a 67-item questionnaire to detect depression amid teenagers (Beirão et al., 2020). It evaluates the functional deficiency and explorations about suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts. Considerably, PHQ-A has been effective among teens due to its high specificity, sensitivity and predictive value.

The ethical parameters of what the nurse can and cannot share with the guardian or parent are complex. Therefore, this makes it challenging for healthcare providers working with minor clients or teens. Healthcare professionals face confidentiality and consent issues to offer treatment for mental and physical health issues. Considerably, many teens may be mature to make the right decisions on the course of their treatment. The physicians treating the teenagers have an ethical responsibility to contribute to the independence of minor patients through engaging teens in decision making about their healthcare. Concerning the code of ethics for Registered Nurses, a nurse is legally obligated to protect the confidential health information of the patient (Jackson, Burns, and Richter, 2014). The nurse is only required to disclose the health information in case of a life-threatening situation to the client.

To help and support the healthcare team and the teens in preventing depression, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are essential in preventing acute depression and relapse. Teens require open communication, acknowledging feelings, active listening and social support to take control of their emotions and feelings as well as boost their self-esteem. Staying active, exercising, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and spending time with friends will facilitate depression management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, depression among teens can be a complex issue that requires oriented and individual treatment. For that reason, early identification and treatment are vital for the prognosis of the patient. Various treatment options such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are effective in preventing depression among teens. Timely diagnosis, prevention, and management of depression among teens should be well-thought-out as universal intentions that require straightforward strategies to prevent mental health problems among teens.

References

Beirão, D., Monte, H., Amaral, M., Longras, A., Matos, C., & Villas-Boas, F. (2020). Depression in adolescence: a review. Middle East current psychiatry, 27(1), 1-9.

Jackson, M. K., Burns, K. K., & Richter, M. S. (2014). Confidentiality and treatment decisions of minor clients: A health professional’s dilemma & policymakers challenge. SpringerPlus,3(1). doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-320

King, K. A., & Vidourek, R. A. (2012). Teen depression and suicide: Effective prevention and intervention strategies. The Prevention Researcher, 19(4), 15-18.

Depression Among Teenagers

Teen depression is a serious mental health issue that causes a continuous feeling of loss and sadness of interest in activities. This affects how teenagers feel, think, and behave and leads to functional, emotional, and physical problems. Despite the fact depression can occur anytime in life there may be a difference between adults and teens. The National Institute of Mental health indicated that if a teen is stressed and overwhelmed with worries and sadness for a long time, there is a lack of concentration and fail to enjoy the activities that were enjoyable before the teens faced depression and need to be examined (Beirão et al., 2020). This paper has focused on depression among teens as a contemporary issue and discussed its effect on overall well-being and adolescent behavior.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that one out of five teens has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Considerably, mental health disorders can influence the performance of individuals, relationships, and school life which may result in suicide which one of the major causes of death among adolescents. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can lead to an inability to handle daily routine duties in teens, sleeping problems, lack of interest and focus, eating disorders, and interaction with peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

Many environmental and biological factors can lead to depression. The biological factors comprise of imbalance in brain chemicals such as norepinephrine or serotonin, reduced activity in various areas of the brain, hormonal changes as well as puberty. Every teen expresses and reacts differently to gender-based treatment among the females and males and sexual identity. On the other hand, psychological factors include low self-esteem, self-shame, body image shame, feeling guilty, learning, self-criticism, and cognitive issues due to feelings of helplessness and anxiety while facing negative events and relationship changes with peers or parents peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

The environmental stressors include violence, poverty, trauma, sexual abuse, bullying, problems with loved ones or family, broken relationships with family, sexual indulgence due to drugs, peer pressure, and alcohol. Teens with poor academic performance, low physical activity, and loss of relationships are at a higher risk of depression. Studies have indicated that exposure to technology and environmental toxins has greatly influenced the mental health of teens (Beirão et al., 2020). For instance, excessive use of mobile phones and electronic devices such as computers have negatively influenced the mental health of teens. This is because spending excessive time on electronic devices may lead to preventing individuals from engaging in activities such as sports that prevent depression.

The identification of depression among teenagers was developed through standards described in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The evaluations of the teens are done over interviews unaccompanied or with the patients which includes the assessment of the functional impairments and the prevailing psychiatric disorders. DSM forms an identification of major depressing disorder for a minimum two weeks through where there is the loss of interest, miserable mood, and lack of inclination in almost all actions peers (King and Vidourek, 2012).

Moreover, there are a minimum of four additional signs which include sleep disturbance, variations in weight, psychomotor activity variations, feelings of worthlessness, tiredness, and impaired concentration as well as inability to make appropriate decisions. The extent of the depressive disorder can be categorized on intensity, sign count, and level of damage. Minor depression can be indicated by five to six signs that are minor in severity with slight impairment. Increased depression occurs when the patient encounters all depressive signs that have been indicated in the DSM-5.

Depression screening is a vital way of detecting and assessing this disorder among teenagers. The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents is the most ordinarily utilized tool for detecting depression and major depressive condition amongst teenagers. The PHQ-A is a depression tool that consists of a 67-item questionnaire to detect depression amid teenagers (Beirão et al., 2020). It evaluates the functional deficiency and explorations about suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts. Considerably, PHQ-A has been effective among teens due to its high specificity, sensitivity and predictive value.

The ethical parameters of what the nurse can and cannot share with the guardian or parent are complex. Therefore, this makes it challenging for healthcare providers working with minor clients or teens. Healthcare professionals face confidentiality and consent issues to offer treatment for mental and physical health issues. Considerably, many teens may be mature to make the right decisions on the course of their treatment. The physicians treating the teenagers have an ethical responsibility to contribute to the independence of minor patients through engaging teens in decision making about their healthcare. Concerning the code of ethics for Registered Nurses, a nurse is legally obligated to protect the confidential health information of the patient (Jackson, Burns, and Richter, 2014). The nurse is only required to disclose the health information in case of a life-threatening situation to the client.

To help and support the healthcare team and the teens in preventing depression, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are essential in preventing acute depression and relapse. Teens require open communication, acknowledging feelings, active listening and social support to take control of their emotions and feelings as well as boost their self-esteem. Staying active, exercising, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and spending time with friends will facilitate depression management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, depression among teens can be a complex issue that requires oriented and individual treatment. For that reason, early identification and treatment are vital for the prognosis of the patient. Various treatment options such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are effective in preventing depression among teens. Timely diagnosis, prevention, and management of depression among teens should be well-thought-out as universal intentions that require straightforward strategies to prevent mental health problems among teens.

References

Beirão, D., Monte, H., Amaral, M., Longras, A., Matos, C., & Villas-Boas, F. (2020). Depression in adolescence: a review. Middle East current psychiatry, 27(1), 1-9.

Jackson, M. K., Burns, K. K., & Richter, M. S. (2014). Confidentiality and treatment decisions of minor clients: A health professional’s dilemma & policymakers challenge. SpringerPlus,3(1). doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-320

King, K. A., & Vidourek, R. A. (2012). Teen depression and suicide: Effective prevention and intervention strategies. The Prevention Researcher, 19(4), 15-18.