Childhood Depressive DIsorders

Question 1

What are piagets 4 stages of cognitive development

Answer 1

Sensorimotor: 0-2yo [Learning from their environment]
Pre-operational: 2-7 yo [Can only see things from their perspective; developing language]
Concrete Operations: 7-11 yo [Can see others perspective, thoughts are reversible}
Formal Operations: 11-Adulthood [More abstract thinking, better depth of understanding}

Question 2

What are Erik Eriksons theories of childhood development?

Answer 2

Based on 8 stages of life- in each stage a person is trying to accomplish a task. Each task has an opposing conflict.

Question 3

What are the 5 most common depressive disorders in children?

Answer 3

Substance/medication induced depressive disorder
Premenstrual depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder 
Major depressive disorder 
{Last two are the most common)

Question 4

Risk Factors for depressive disorders in children?

Answer 4

Family Risks: violence, sexual abuse, acute family difficulties
Friendship risks: have a low number of friends
Genetic Risks:
Temperament
Cognition: self critical thinking styl

Question 5

What is considered a very high risk group for childhood depressive disorder?

Answer 5

Refugees, asylum seekers, homeless, institutionalized (AKA looked after children) and disabled children (physically or developmentally)

Question 6

What effect does stigma have in childhood depression?

Answer 6

63% of children stay stigma is the reason for not seeking care.

Question 7

Signs of childhood depressive disorder?

Answer 7

• Decreasing academic performance
• Troubled relationship with family and peers
• Decreased interest in activities
• Behavior regression (ie starting to wet the bed again)

Question 8

Symotoms of childhood depressive disorder

Answer 8

Disruption in sleep 
-Loss of appetite
-Decreased concentration
-Lack of energy
-Guilt 
-Suicidal ideation 
Children are less likely to experience pyschosis and are most likely to have SOMATIC symptoms (ie headache, stomach ache etc)

Question 9

Dx of MDD in children?

Answer 9

• Depressed/irritable mood present for most of the day
• Loss of interest
• Symptoms must be present for a minimum of 2 wks. Symptoms lasting longer that 1 yr are dx’d as persistent depressive disorder.

Question 10

Dx of distruptive mood dysregulation disorder?

Answer 10

-Frequent outbursts (throughout most of the day)
-Chronic persistent irritability (Present most of day on most days)
Dx must be prior to age 10

Question 11

Childhood depressive disorders treatment: non pharmaceutical

Answer 11

Non-pharmaceutical- psycho social intervention (mild cases) and psycho therapeutic interventions and meds (severe)
Psychotherapy:
1. Cognitive behavior therapy: learn new ways of thinking and behaving. Understanding stressing circumstances and developing coping mechanisms.
2. Interpersonal Therapy: understand and work through troubles relationships, improve communication

Question 12

Childhood depressive disorders treatment: pharmaceutical

Answer 12

Two major categories:
1. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Fluoxitine- Prozac- for children 8+, with moderate-severe MDD
Citalopram- Celexa- children 12-18yo
2. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Venlaflaxine-effexor- increases serotonin and norepi in brain, used for moderate depression.