What Does A Psychiatric Health Assessment Consist of?

There are other conditions besides depression that sometimes produce symptoms such as grief, adjustment reactions, and trauma. As they occur in response to specific events your teen reports, these conditions can generally be ruled out by a physician examining your teen. However, there are other psychiatric disorders that can show symptoms similar to depression which need to be considered by the mental health professional you consult. For example, anxiety disorders can be associated with depressed mood, particularly if they have persisted untreated for several years. The social isolation resulting from so­cial phobia, for example, can look like social withdrawal associated with depression. Similarly, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (a condition in which the child or teen consis­tently refuses to cooperate with authority, to the point where it interferes with impor­tant daily activities) can mimic the negativity and irritability characteristic of teen de­pression. Unlike major depression, however, both of these conditions tend to persist for years, and do not change dramatically from month to month.

Teens who consume alcohol or illicit drugs can also appear depressed or with­drawn, either from drug withdrawal or from attempts to hide their habit. If you sus­pect this possibility, look into it, even if it means breeching your teen's privacy. The risks associated with drugs are often even greater than those associated with depres­sion. When in doubt, check with a professional. Many teens suffer from more than one problem, and it can't hurt to have a thorough diagnostic assessment.



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