As Adolescents Seperate from Their Parents

As adolescents separate from their parents and gain a sense of control, sometimes they are unable to balance stresses. As a result, depression may occur, and, at times, suicide may be the outcome. Choose the topic of either adolescent depression or adolescent suicide. Discuss contributing factors and signs and symptoms that may be observed or assessed in these clients. Describe primary, secondary, and tertiary methods of health prevention for this topic. Research community and state resources and describe at least two of these for your chosen topic. What nursing interventions could you use to assist an adolescent you suspect is depressed beyond referring the adolescent to a state or community resource?

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-14 year-olds (AACAP). Adolescents experience stress stemming from family problems (ie – divorce), leaving their friends and moving to a new community and the pressure to succeed – both academically and in extracurricular activities. Adolescents also experience confusion, fear of the unknown, body image issues, and self-doubt when growing up. To some, the answer to these stressors may be suicide.

Suicidal thoughts and the depression that leads to them are very treatable mental health problems. The most important step in initiating the treatment of depression is recognizing the symptoms that a problem indeed exists. The family of the adolescent and the nurse assessing the adolescent must be alert to behaviors that would indicate the presence of depression or the potential for suicide. The child may withdraw from friends, family members and activities that once interested them. They may neglect their appearance and hygiene. The quality of schoolwork may decline as they become over whelmed with these feelings. Their eating habits may change, from not eating to overeating, and they may experience insomnia or sleep all the time. Physical symptoms may...