Summarized Research ENGL 112

Childhood Depression

I have mentioned before that work with at risk students, and some of them are depressed. So I wanted to find out more about chilhood depression, what causes it, the cures, medications, therapies used for all this etc.
I started by gathering information off the internet, and researching the basic things about depression; later I had the opportunity to go to a conference on Childhood Depression conducted by the Youngs (well known counselors in town). I also went to a second conference on Helping Children Grieve and Grow; these two conferenses were amaizing.
I've been working with a counselor by the name of Lisa Burns who is an intervention counselor for Mesa County Valley School District 51, conducting a little group of art therapy for children.
And I have also researched some books on this topic.
The results were great, and I believe I would like to continue helping out with these children.

Psychotherapies for Children ENGL 112

Psychotherapies for Children

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)-Helps improve child's moods and behavior by examining confused or distorted patterns of thinking.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)- Can be used to treat older adolescents who have chronic suicidal feelings/thoughts, engage in intentional self-harm or have Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT emphasizes taking responsibility for one's problems and helps the person examine how they deal with conflict and negative feelings. This often involves a combination of group and individual sessions.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)- Is a brief treatment specifically developed and tested for depression. The goals of IPT are to improve interpersonal functionin by decreasing the symptoms of depression.

Family Therapy- focuses on helping the family function in more positive and constructive ways by exploring patterns of communication and providing support and education. Family therapy sessions can include the child or adolescent along with parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Play Therapy- involves the use of toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings and games to help the child recognize, identity, and verbalize feelings.

Why aren't we identifying these kids? ENGL112

Why aren’t we identifying these kids?
· Internalizing disorders fly under the radar, often progress unnoticed, harder to detect (Lewinsohn et al., 2001; Merrill, 2001;Coyne, Schewenk & Fechner-Bates, 1995; Santor &Coyne, 1997; Merrill, 2001)
· Teachers generally poor at identifying depressed students; only a small proportion of children with emotional disorders are identified and treated. (Costello et al., 1996; Auger, 2004)
· Difficulty assessing low base-rate disorders; research difficulties lack many valid, effective screening tools for early adolescence. (Brooks & kutcher, 2001; Sharp &Lipsky, 2002; Horowitz & Garber, 2006; and Asarnow, Jaycox, & Tompson, 2001)
· Some schools’ reluctance with mental health issues, HIPPA laws, privacy, community objections, stigma.
· Community Mental Health reluctant to partnership with school and lack of collaborative care between pediatricians and mental health providers.

How can we identify these kids?
· Parent Education
· Education of professionals; teachers/ clergy/physicians/ coaches/ etc.
· Community education and awareness
· Outreach to parents from teachers, church youth ministers, youth recreation leaders/ministers peers, physicians, etc.
· Outreach should be within the system or facility where parents and children actually spend time (schools, churches, physician offices!!!)

Depression Poem ENGL 112

DEPRESSION.....

Loneliness is …..The empty feeling that comes from within
Loneliness is ……The longing to share your thoughts and feelings with someone who’ll listen
Loneliness is ……Reaching out for open arms to find none there
Loneliness is …..Standing in a crowded room but feeling alone
Loneliness is …...Picking up the phone but having no one to call
Loneliness is …...Knowing there is no one thinking of you
Depression is …..Feeling alone
Depression is …..Knowing this will never change
Depression is …..Knowing your best isn’t good enough
Depression is …..Knowing nothing you do matters
Depression is …..Realizing your best days have gone
Depression is ….. Looking forward to the end
Depression is …..Knowing no one really cares that you are looking forward to the end
L.. Pierson

Articles ( Childhood Depression) ENGL 112

I found two articles so far that I think can be very useful for my research project.

1. Author: Karl E. Miller
Title: Long-term outcomes of collaborative care for depression
Find Articles
Date: April 1, 2007
site: http://findarticles.com/p/page?sb=topic&tpp=mentalhealth

2. Author: Allan M. Josephson
Title: Depression and Suicide in Children and adolescents: a spiritual perspective
The Free Library
Date: July 1, 2007
3 Issues
Site: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Depression+and+suicide+in+children+and+adolescents%3a+a+spiritual...-a0168070794

ENGL 112 Keywords

1. Childhood Depression
2. Symptoms
3. Depression Medications
4. Depression Behavior
5. Depression and Mental illness
6. Depression Treatment
7. Family related
8. Peers
9. Life style
10. Genetic/Hereditary
11. Alternative Treatments

ENGL 112 Books

1.) Childhood Depression
Author: Kevin D Stark
Published: August 1990
Publisher: Guilford Publications Lack
Edition #1

2.) Prozac Nation: Young And Depressed in America
Author: Elizabeth Wurtzel
Published: April 2002
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

3.) Help me I'm Sad: Recognizing Treating and Preventing Childhood Depression
Authors: David Fassler, Lynne S. Dumas
Published: October 1997
Publisher: Pinguin Group (USA)