Characterize depression and major depressive disorder in middle childhood
What behavioral
and emotional symptoms are representative of these conditions for children? What effects does
depression and major depressive disorder have ondevelopment? Discuss how they are treated
and the controversy surrounding this method.
What will be an ideal response?
Until recently, most psychiatrists did not believe children experienced depression to any
great extent. Today, perhaps 10% of school-aged children may exhibit depressive symptoms.
Depression – melancholy and despondency/despair for at least 6 months.
Major depressive disorder – depression plus symptoms of eating and sleeping disturbances and
difficulty in focusing attention; about 1% of school-aged children; frequently reoccurs within 2 years.
Effects on development – delays information-processing speed; negative influence on peer
interactions.
Treatment – antidepressant drugs; these are effective.
Controversy – there may be a correlation between suicidal thinking and suicidal-attempting behaviors
of children who are prescribed antidepressants who are younger than 18.
You might also like to view...
Contemporary psychologists are least likely to agree with Freud's belief that
A) conscience and gender identity formed during the process of resolving the Oedipus Complex B) conscious awareness of our own mental process is very limited C) memories are often distorted and incomplete D) defense mechanisms help protect individuals from anxiety
Three-month-old Jason is used to his parents interacting and playing with him. If his mother stops interacting with him and takes a phone call in which she keeps her expression neutral, what will Jason's reaction be?
What will be an ideal response?