MARY MCCLURE, SOCIAL WORK FIELD PLACEMENT STUDENT Anxiety & Depression in School Age Children

Welcome! Ice Breaker About Us About You  Name & school  What you know about mental illness  Stories  Questions

By the Numbers Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18% the adult population Anxiety disorders affect 1 in 8 children 8% of teens have an anxiety disorder  Symptoms commonly emerge around age 6  Of these, only 18% received mental health care

By the Numbers 2% of school age children & 8% of adolescents meet criteria for major depression 1 in 5 teens have experienced depression Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder

What is Anxiety? Anxiety Disorders  generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)  Social phobia  Separation anxiety

Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms cluster around excessive, irrational fear and dread.  Physical pain  Extreme discomfort in social situations  Excessive fear about the future  Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure  Poor concentration  Increased irritability, anger, or hostility Symptoms present for at least 6 months

Causes of Anxiety Disorders Combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors Brain disorder brought on by changes in brain chemistry Key actors in brain production of fear and anxiety  Amygdala: process incoming sensory signals  Hippocampus: encodes events into memories

What is Depression? Child feels discouraged, sad, hopeless, unmotivated, or disinterested in life. Depression: feelings last for more than two weeks and interfere with daily activities.

Symptoms of Depression Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood Hopelessness, pessimism Guilt, worthlessness, helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Decreased energy, fatigue Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions Sleep issues Low appetite/weight loss or overeating/weight gain Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts Restlessness, irritability Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause can be diagnosed. Source: Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Causes of Depression Most likely, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain  Neurotransmitters: out of balance MRIs of people with depression Family history, trauma, stressful situations Co-morbidity

How you can help your students Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. Pay attention to your child’s feelings. Stay calm when your child becomes anxious about a situation or event. Recognize and praise small accomplishments. Don’t punish mistakes or lack of progress. Be flexible and try to maintain a normal routine. Modify expectations during stressful periods. Plan for transitions.  Source: Anxiety & Depression Association of America If you suspect your student is struggling with a mental health issue, please discuss with the teacher or site supervisor.

Older Adults & Mental Health Depression is not a normal part of aging.  Studies show that most seniors feel satisfied with their lives  Different experiences of depressive symptoms Grief vs. Major Depression Medical Conditions Suicide Rates Treatment

Conclusion Awareness Questions? Tell us what you learned! Sources: Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Institute of Mental Health WebMD