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Depression: Nkondo Primary School-East Province Rwanda

This document discusses depression in children and adolescents. It defines depression and notes that the incidence increases with age, particularly in females after age 15. Depression may be caused by genetic, developmental, or psychosocial factors. Clinical signs include changes in mood, sleep, appetite and activity levels, as well as suicidal thoughts. Left untreated, depression can lead to substance abuse, suicide, loss of relationships, and poor school performance. Management involves talking to children, evaluating stressors, family/school interventions, psychotherapy, and encouraging positive activities.

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KABERA RENE
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57 views13 pages

Depression: Nkondo Primary School-East Province Rwanda

This document discusses depression in children and adolescents. It defines depression and notes that the incidence increases with age, particularly in females after age 15. Depression may be caused by genetic, developmental, or psychosocial factors. Clinical signs include changes in mood, sleep, appetite and activity levels, as well as suicidal thoughts. Left untreated, depression can lead to substance abuse, suicide, loss of relationships, and poor school performance. Management involves talking to children, evaluating stressors, family/school interventions, psychotherapy, and encouraging positive activities.

Uploaded by

KABERA RENE
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Depression

Community Health Project


Nkondo Primary School-East Province
Rwanda

KABERA René,MD
PGY III Resident
Family and Community Medicine
National University of Rwanda
DEFINITION

• Clinical depression can be defined as a persistent state of unha


ppiness or misery that interferes with pleasure or productivity.
• Mood disorder

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
• The incidence of depression in children increases with age, from
1-3% before puberty to around 8% of adolescents.
• The rate of depression in females approaches adult levels by a
ge 15.
• The incidence of depression in children is higher when other fam
ily members have been affected by depressive disorders.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
• The sex incidence is equal in childhood, but with the onset of pu
berty the rates of depression for females begin to exceed those f
or males.
• Depression may be the final expression of (1) genetic factors (n
eurotransmitter dysfunction), (2) developmental problems (perso
nality defects, childhood events), or (3) psychosocial stresses (d
ivorce, unemployment).

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


CLINICAL FINDINGS
• Sadness, frequent change of mood, irritability or sombre appear
ance, persisting for days to months at a time.
• Characteristic signs and symptoms :changes in sleep, appetite,
concentration, and activity levels.
• Suicidal ideas, feeling of hopelessness.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


COMPLICATIONS
• Adolescents have a tendency to avoid the pain of depression thr
ough substance abuse or excitement-seeking behaviors.
• The emotional pain associated with depression can be intensely
distressing, the child or adolescent may consider suicide.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


COMPLICATIONS 1
• The irritability, isolation, and withdrawal that often result from th
e depressive episode can lead to loss of peer relationships withi
n the family.
• School performance usually suffers during a depressive episode
as children are unable to concentrate or motivate themselves to
complete homework or projects.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


MANAGEMENT
• Talk with the children
 Do you feel sad ?
 Do you feel tired even if you don’t work hard ?
 How are you sleeping at the moment ?
 How are you eating at the moment??
 have you lost interest in food ?

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


MANAGEMENT1
 Does your mind have difficulty working? Do you find that recentl
y you forget things easily ?
 Do you feel that you are slowed down and take longer to do thin
gs?
 Do you feel less worthy than or beneath other people ?
 Have you had thoughts about ending your life ?
 How are other people feeling about you ? responding to you ? W
hat do you feel about this? Is it your fault?

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


MANAGEMENT2
• Evaluation of the school ,the family and social setting to identify st
resses that may have caused depression.
• Appropriate measures directed at the family and school must acco
mpany direct treatment of the child
• In therapy, efforts are made to resolve conflicts between family me
mbers, and to increase the opportunity for enjoyable time spent tog
ether.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


MANAGEMENT3
• The child is encouraged to become involved in activities and to p
ursue opportunities for maximizing skills and talents.
• Individual psychotherapy aimed at identifying negative thoughts
and correcting them.
• It also helps the young person to identify, express feelings .

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH


DISCUSSION
• Questions and Comments
• scenarios

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH 12


Thank you

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT-MENTAL HEALTH

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