Basics
What is the prevalence of depression in children?
2%
What are two functions of serotonin?
Possible answers: Mood, emotion, sleep, appetite.
What does SSRI stand for?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
What are the three symptom areas of depression?
Cognitive and behavioral, emotional, and physical.
What is the prevalence of depression in adolescents?
10%
What are three neurotransmitters associated with depression?
Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
What are three types of antidepressants?
Possible answers include: SSRIs, SNRIs, NRIs, NDRIs, atypicals.
What are three symptoms of major depression in children?
Possible answers:
Depressed or irritable mood for more days than not.
Anhedonia
Significant weight loss or gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Fatigue more days than not
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Impaired concentration
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
What is depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious mood disorder that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.
What is one brain region involved in how we process and handle emotions?
Possible answers: Hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex.
What is the most prescribed group of antidepressants?
SSRIs
What are two of the most common symptoms of major depression in children?
Possible answers:
Irritability
Social withdrawal
Anhedonia
Low self-esteem
Themes of death, suicide, or self-destruction appearing in play
Vegetative symptoms
What does treatment for depression focus on?
Symptom and disability reduction, as well as relapse prevention.
What is one risk factor for depression?
Possible answers:
Tempermental
Environmental
Genetic
Course modifiers
How long might it take to see symptomatic improvement in children taking antidepressants?
Between 4 to 12 weeks
How many symptoms must children show to be diagnosed with major depression?
Four (as opposed to the five required for adults to be diagnosed with major depression).
What are two other mood disorders commonly associated with depression?
Bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
What are three functions of norepinephrine?
Possible answers:
Arousal
Sleep
Attention
Mood
What antidepressant has been FDA approved for children over the age of 8?
Prozac
How long must symptoms last to get a proper diagnosis?
Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression.