Psychosocial Effect of Depression on Occupational Performance of Adolescents by Anna Sanchez

Article: The Role of OT in the Management of depression Research article supports that engagement in occupation activity related to reduction of depression symptoms. Occupational therapy focus on roles, behaviors, and adaptive skills leads to the fact that it can play a major role in treatment of depression. It also emphasized that it is necessary to conduct new outcome studied that would specify periods of depression, types of intervention and age groups when occupational therapy is the most effective. Summary of the research results

Article: The Role of OT in the Management of depression Correlation between depression and occupational performance Protective effect of outside job from depression impairment effects Effect of medication on adaptive skills Six months period of diminished social functioning after remission of depressive symptoms What I learn from the article

Depression impact on Occupational Performance of Adolescents Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer. From an OT perspective, depression is a condition that deprives people of energy and motivation to participate in the activities that are important to them.

Symptoms of Depression Loss or increase in appetite (changes in weight not related to dieting) Sleep disturbances Retardation or agitation Fatigue or loss of energy Psychosocial impairments (worthlessness, excessive guilt, or inappropriate guilt) Cognitive impairment ( problems with thinking, concentration) Persistent thoughts of death or suicide (with or without a specific plan), or a suicide attempt Social withdrawal Anhedonia Hostility Irritability, angry attitudes Pessimistic thinking Inability to concentrate Slowed cognitive functioning Lack of energy and initiative Helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness Excessive or inappropriate guilt and diminished self-esteem Sx according to DSMSx in adolescents

Depression impact on Occupational Performance of Adolescents Communication, social interaction and participation and with peers, caregivers, or family Psychosocial impairments: social withdrawal, anhedonia, hostility, irritability, angry attitudes, pessimistic thinking IADLs ( problems at school, homework, chores, lack of or unbalanced leisure activities) Cognitive impairments: inability to concentrate, slowed cognitive functioning, lack of energy and initiative ADLs ( sleep/rest, personal hygiene, self-care) Psychosocial impairments: helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt and diminished Self- esteem

Intervention Strategies Cognitive Behavior Therapy (identification of negative thinking and substitution of it with positive thinking) Psycho-educational interventions (Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Assertiveness, Time management) Self Exploration and Expression activities ( facilitate understanding of self, emotions, help to learn assertiveness, self-concept, self-esteem) Arts and Crafts Activities ( help to improve confidence, enhance critical thinking and creative problem solving, provide opportunities for self-expression and enhance social skills and self-esteem) Relaxation Techniques( facilitate emotion management, help manage the stress, and relief tension) Healthy Life Style Education : Exercise, Nutritious & Balanced Food ( address symptoms such as lack of energy, fatigue, improve cognitive functioning and mood) Life Skills Training ( improve self-esteem, facilitate role-acquisition and independence) Vocational and Leisure Exploration (help to identify interests, improve independence, social interaction and participation) From an OT perspective, depression is a condition that deprives people of energy and motivation to participate in the activities that are important to them.

Cultural Effects on Depression Different cultures perceive depression and its symptoms in different way Belonging to the individualistic vs. collectivistic type of culture can affect the prevalence of depression Personal perception of powerlessness and usefulness in life shapes self-concept and mood People from an Asian culture such as China or Japan are more comfortable complaining about physical rather than mental symptoms of depression Cultures also have a different attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine practices such as herbs, meditation, yoga, or other approaches.

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