1. DEPRESSION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

2. ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION
Most frequently diagnosed adolescent mental health disorder
Recurrence rate: 50 – 70% within 5 years
Poor prognosis with early adolescence onset
Less than 20% of adolescents improve with short
term care
Comprehensive management with psychological,
medication and or physical activity treatment is
recommended
(Black Dog Institute, 2013)

3. SYMPTOMS OF ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION
Persistent sadness or irritability
Significant loss of interest in most activities
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Fatigue or loss of energy
Significant appetite or weight change
Feelings of worthlessness
Impairment in relationships with friends and family
Academic impairment
Sleep disturbance
Suicide
3rd leading cause of adolescent deaths
(DSM-V, 2013)
(Brown, Braithwaite, Pearson,
Brown, Biddle, 2013)

4. TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION
Initial simple and non-specific psychosocial strategies:
Psychoeducation of the adolescent and their parents
Problem solving skills
Anxiety management
Dealing with conflict
Diet
Physical treatment—Exercise
Sleep hygiene
Coordination with school
(Blackdog Institute, 2013)

5. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TREATMENT FOR ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION
Functional impairment and residual symptoms of medication therapy lead to pursuit of more effective adolescent depression interventions
Physical activity identified as a better intervention as it is considered
(Dunn & Weintraub, 2008)

6. PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION
Psychomotor retardation limits functional activity level
Physical therapy (PT) addresses psychomotor retardation by restoring and or increasing functional activities
Physical Therapists create fitness and wellness-oriented plans that include specific exercises and education designed to promote establishment of an active lifestyle

7. REFERENCE
American Physical Therapy Association. (2014, April 16). Vision Statement for the Physical Therapy Profession and Guiding Principles to Achieve the Vision. Retrieved April 13, 2014, from American physical therapy association:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Brown, H., Pearson, N., & Braithwaite, R. B. (2012). Physical activity interventions and depression in children and adolescents. Switzerland. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from 48c5-aed d103ef%40sessionmgr4001&vid=8&hid=4203
Dunn, A., & Weintraub, P. (2008). Exercise in the prevention and treatment of adolescent depression: A promising but little researched intervention. American journal of lifestyle medicine,
Treating teen depression. (2013, May 14). Retrieved April 11, 2014, from Blackdog Institute: Depression and bipolar disorder Australia: ssion.cfm