Current approaches to the psychopharmacologic treatment of depression in children and adolescents

Updating What We Know About Depression in Adolescents

1. Despite an 80% increase in prescriptions written for antidepressants for the treatment of pediatric depression, little empirical research has been done on the effects of antidepressant therapy on children and adolescents. 2. What little research has been done does not support the efficacy of antidepressants use in children. Moreover, some antidepressants may actually be harmful to pediatric populations. 3. Nurses have an obligation to keep abreast of the latest research findings in the literature because the knowledge base changes daily.

The Mental Health of Homeless School-Age Children

PROBLEM

The mental health of homeless school-age children.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 46 homeless children between the ages of 8 and 12 years completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and each child's mother completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

FINDINGS

Fifty-seven percent of the children had depressive symptoms and 26% needed additional evaluation for mental health problems. Overall, the CDI and CBCL scores indicated that gender or ethnicity are not related to the children's mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

The mental health of homeless schoolage children should be assessed, as they may be at risk for mental health problems.

A comparative study of homeless, previously homeless, and never homeless school-aged children's health

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the mental health, physical health, and healthcare practices of homeless, previously homeless, and never homeless poor school-aged children. The sample was comprised of 134 children who ranged in age from 8 to 12 years. The children participated in health assessments and completed two psychometric tests: the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) (Kovacs, 1985) and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) (Reynolds & Richmond, 1985). Their mothers completed the Child Behavior Problem Checklist (CBCL) (Achenbach, 1991) and participated in an interview. The homeless (n = 67), previously homeless (n = 30), and never homeless children (n = 37) were similar in regard to their health assessment findings, reported health problems, healthcare practices, and CBCL scores. The proportions of homeless and previously homeless children with CDI scores in the clinical range were significantly greater than the never homeless poor children. The homeless children had significantly higher anxiety scores than the previously homeless and never homeless children. All three groups of children were at risk for physical and mental health problems; however, the findings suggest that school-aged children who experience homelessness may be at greater risk for depression and anxiety than never homeless poor children.

Neuroanatomy and physiology in modern child psychiatric nursing

TOPIC

Brain anatomy and brain function pertinent to clinical practice in child and adolescent psychiatric nursing.

PURPOSE

Over the past two decades psychiatry has increasingly turned to biological explanations for the etiology of mental disorders. In addition, public awareness of neurobiology has been kindled by a steady flow of articles in the media about the brain. Finally, there has been a tremendous proliferation of psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of mental disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. Hence, nurses are increasingly expected to employ a knowledge base that embraces the fundamentals of neuroscience.

SOURCES

This article briefly reviews current information about brain anatomy and function in order to provide a foundation for current practice.

CONCLUSION

Contemporary psychiatric nursing practice all but requires nurses to acquire a basic understanding of neuroanatomy and physiology.