1 - Depressive Disorders
1. The Video Clip - Watch, Listen or Read
In this part of the workshop, Dr. DiPasquale discusses several different kinds of depressive disorders. Although many young people may complain of feeling "depressed", depression is a serious mental health disorder that requires attention. Educators are reminded that depression may appear differently in young people than in adults.
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2. Notes
Several different kinds of depression may be present in young people:
Clinical Depression
The onset of clinical depression before puberty is rare. It is estimated at a 5% occurrence rate. Depression is a common co-morbid and secondary effect of other disorders, occurring frequently along with anxiety, learning difficulties, etc. It is the most common cause of suicide, and is characterized by lethargy, apathy, sleep/eating changes, and feelings of worthlessness. In children however it often manifests as irritability, acting out, anger and somatic problems (complaints of feeling ill). Diagnosis of clinical depression in children is difficult because they display different symptoms.Students with clinical depression benefit from a teacher who will listen, protect them from peer harassment, and provide a caring, positive, and supportive environment.
Treatment for this disorder is frequently a combination of medication and therapy.
Dysthymia
This is another type of depression. A person with dysthymia can function but is always down and has low self esteem, but is not quite fully depressed.Treatment for dysthymia is similar to that recommended for clinical depression.
Bi-polar Disorder
This disorder is rare in children, but generally has an adolescence onset. People with this disorder cycle between manic (extreme high) and depressive (extreme low) episodes. This can be a very dangerous disorder as there is a high risk of committing suicide while depressed, and of death by accident during manic phases as these can involve very unsafe or irrational behaviours. A large number of people with this disorder go undiagnosed for many years before their behaviour causes them to be hospitalized and formally diagnosed.
Students with this disorder will benefit from a teacher who, again, can protect the student from harassment and educate the class about the medical nature of the disorder.
Treatment for this disorder involves medication, often hospitalization and therapy
3. Discussion Question
Depression, in its most severe form, can lead to suicide. Although rare in younger children, as students reach adolescence their suicide risk increases. Have you received any training in what behaviours may indicate a suicide risk? Do you know your school's protocol for assisting suicidal students? If not, how could you find out more?
Please post your observations, comments, and questions below.
I attended a workshop on bullying that dealt with suicide but more in relation to being bullied. Our school involves the counselling of CPS and the Local Native Friendship Centre if we are concerned that a student may be suicidal.
I do not know the schools protocol for assisting suicidal students but know the steps to take with general crisises. There are several programs in my community that deals with suicide or at risk youth. I could easily get inoformation. This lesson really brought to my attention to look for these signs even in younger students. I work in a grade one class so never thought that kids at this young age would even consider suicide as an option.
Like Angela, this clip really brought to light the severity of this issue. I had no idea that the suicide rate for individuals with bi-polar was 10-15%. I too work in an elementary school and have not given this topic as much attention as I now realize I ought to.