Problems Related to Identifying, Diagnosing and Assessing Depression in Adolescents When Taking Into Account Gender and Other Contextual Factors.

Problems related to identifying, diagnosing and assessing depression in adolescents when taking into account gender and other contextual factors.

Ntwanano Ngwetjana

Student no. 3621 198-2

PLAGIARISM DECLARATION

1. I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is using another’s work and pretending that it is one’s own work.

2. I have used the American Psychological Association (APA) as the convention for citation and referencing. Each significant contribution to, and quotation in, this assignment from the work, or works of other people has been attributed and has been cited and referenced.

3. This assignment is my own work.

4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work.

5. I acknowledge that copying someone else's assignment, or part of it, is wrong and declare that this assignment is my own work

SIGNATURE: Ntwanano Ngwetjana

DATE: 28 May 2013

Table of Contents

Introduction

Developmental stage of adolescence

Defining mood disorders

Mood disorders in adolescents

Diagnosing and classifying depression in adolescents

Assessment and treatment of depression in adolescents

How gender influences depression in adolescents

Contextual factors related to depression in adolescents

Other factors that influence depression in adolescents

The problem with the diagnosis and assessment of depression in adolescents

Conclusion

References consulted

Introduction

In this essay I will discuss the problems related to identifying, diagnosing and assessing depression in adolescents. I will do this by looking at the developmental stage of adolescents; defining mood disorders especially depressive mood disorders in adolescents. I will discuss how depression is diagnosed and assessed n adolescents. I will also discuss the factors that influence depression in adolescents. Finally I will discuss the various problems related to classifying, diagnosing, assessing and treating depression in...