Depression

Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults

Hector Solis-Ortiz & Leilani Castaneda

CPSY 423: Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
March 26, 2015

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders (5th ed.; DSM5; American Psychiatric
Association, 2013) defines depression as a mood
disorder that causes a persistent feeling of
sadness and loss of interest.

Symptoms
Children & Adolescents:

Young Adults:

1) Depressed or irritable mood

2) Diminished interest or pleasure in all, or
almost all, activities
3) Decrease or increase in appetite
4) Insomnia or hypersomnia
5) Fatigue or loss of energy
6) Feelings of worthlessness
7) Diminished ability to think or concentrate
8) Recurrent thoughts of death or recurrent
suicidal ideation.

1) Decreased behavior in sexual activity.

2) Inability to concentrate
3) Feeling of unworthiness
4) Excessive guilt or recurring thoughts
of death
5) Lack of interest in everyday activities
6) Insomnia
7) Feeling of worthlessness

Assessment
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force suggest, that screening
for depression is most helpful when appropriate treatments can be
implemented as well as follow-up care by a clinician (AHRQ, n.d.).

Children & Adolescents:

1)

Childrens Depression Inventory II

2)

The Reynolds Adolescent Depression

Scale II

Young Adults:
1)

Patient Health Questionnaire 2

2)

Patient Health Questionnaire 9

3)

Beck Depression Inventory II

Evidence-based Therapeutic Strategies

Children & Adolescents:

Young Adults:
1) Enhancing coping skills

1)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

-- Becks Cognitive Triad & Strategies
-- ACTION

2)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

-- Exploring relationships

-Appraisal Focused Skills

-Problem-Focused Skills
-Emotion-Focused Strategies
2) Replacement thoughts and behaviors
3) Relapse Prevention

-- Problem-solving

4) Cognitive exploration of precursors to

current mood state

-- Creating goal strategies

5) Lifestyle exploration

Parent/Family Components
Children & Adolescents:

Young Adults:

Interpersonal Family Therapy (IFT) is an

intervention and treatment approach designed
for depressed youth and their families.

Once a student reaches 18 years of age or

attends a postsecondary institution, he or she
becomes an eligible student, and all right
formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer
to the student (FERPA, n.d.).

1) Educate family members

2) Improve communication & relationships
2) Create goals

1) Prior Knowledge would be transferred to

Campus Student Disability office.
2) School intervention might be forced.
-Residence Life
-Suicide attempt/Parent Interaction

Curricular Interventions
Children & Adolescents:

Young Adults:

Not much research surrounding school-based

instructional and curricular interventions for
young children.

1) Behavioral Concerns Team

Overall:
1)
2)
3)

Positive reinforcement for efforts

Reducing classroom distractions
Utilizing stimulating materials

2) Passive Programming
3) Mental Health Professionals

Crisis Intervention Considerations

Children & Adolescents:

Young Adults:

1) Developing safe areas for meltdowns

1) Training of student staff in the halls

2) Reviewing his or her coping skills

2) Training of Faculty and Staff

3) Helping skills, such as active listening

* Applicable for both parents and teachers to
utilize during crises

Class Activity

References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm04
Curry, J. F., & Reinecke, M. A. (2003). Modular cognitive behavior therapy for adolescents with major depression. In M.A.
Reinecke, F.M. Dattilio, & A. Freeman (Eds.), Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents (2nd ed.), pp. 9
95-127. New York: Guilford.
FERPA for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/students.htm
Mufson, L., Dorta, K.P., Moreau, D., & Weissman. (2004). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents (2nd
ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
Schwartz, J.A., Kaslow, N.J., Raucusin, G.R., Carton, E.R. (1998). Interpersonal family therapy for childhood depression.
In V.B. Van Hasselt & M. Hersen (eds.), Handbook of psychological protocols for children and adolescents,
pp.109-151. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Section 2. Recommendations for Adults (continued) | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ). (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-providers/guidelines-recommendations/guide/section2a.html#Depression

Simon, D.J. (2010). Instruction, therapeutic intervention, and crisis intervention for students with emotional, behavioral,
and social disorders. Unpublished manuscript, Department of School Psychology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL.