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.

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 adolescence.
Developmental stages of adolescence
According to the Reader on selected Social issues, “the adolescent stage is divided into 3 stages; which are child, mid-adolescence and adult adolescence. Where during child adolescence the individual is learning to cope with the demands of rapid physical growth, during mid-adolescence the individual begins experimenting with developmental changes in a number of different areas and during adult adolescence the individual then forms a meaningful and stable personal identity as well as taking mature decisions with regard to their future.” (2010:73).
During child adolescence the individual begins to struggle with a sense of identity, they feel awkward about themselves and their body; worrying about being normal. They begin to realise that

References: consulted * Mash, E.J. & Wolfe, D.A. (2010). Abnormal child psychology (4thed). Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. * Bezuidenhout, F.J. (Ed.)(2010). A Reader on Selected Social Issues (4th ed.). Pretoria: Van Schaik. * Crowe, M., Ward, N., Dunnachie, B., & Roberts, M. (2006). Characteristics of adolescent depression. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. * Han W.J., & Miller D.P. (2009). Parental work schedules and adolescent depression. Health Sociology Review, 18, 36 – 49. * Page, R.M., & Hall, C.P. (2009). Psychosocial distress and alcohol use as factors in adolescent behaviour among sub-Saharan African adolescents. Journal of school health.