Review Article
Year: 2018 | Month: May | Volume: 3 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 54-59
Preventive Measures and Quality Improvement in Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Dr. Suprava Patel1, Samapika Bhaumik2
1Associate Professor (MD), Department of Biochemistry, 23rd Year MBBS Student,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Suprava Patel
ABSTRACT
The rising trend of depressive disorders is of major concern because children and adolescents usually present with varied symptoms that often goes unrecognised. Though effective treatments are available, yet they do not access the mental health services because of unawareness and fear of being socially stigmatized. The major risk factors include a family history of the condition, major life changes, certain medications, chronic health problems, and drug abuse. Interplay of genetic factors, psychological stress, sex hormones and neuro-endocrine hormones can be linked to depression in adolescents. Various quality indicators have been proposed to document the course of the mental disorder, effects of treatment and the performance of the provider. Despite the high burden of depression and the availability of effective treatments, 60% - 80% of affected adolescents do not receive appropriate care. Given the current limitations in effectiveness of treatment modalities for decreasing disability due to mental and behavioural disorders, the only sustainable method for reducing the burden caused by these disorders is prevention.
Key words: depression, children, adolescent, quality measures, prevention, promotion