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Adolescent Depression: Meeting Therapeutic Challenges Through an Integrated Narrative Approach
Author(s) -
Bennett Lorna Ruth
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/jcap.12003
Subject(s) - alliance , narrative , depression (economics) , psychology , therapeutic relationship , psychotherapist , medicine , clinical psychology , philosophy , linguistics , political science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Topic The adolescent period is a time of transition and change often associated with losses and adjustment issues at the family, school, and individual levels. When this normal developmental transition is interrupted and compounded by depressive illness, treatment needs and nursing therapeutic challenges can be daunting. Purpose This clinically based article explores the clinical process and progress in work with a 14‐year‐old adolescent boy who was diagnosed with a major depressive episode. Core clinical features, distinguishing characteristics of depression in youth, as well as specific therapeutic issues and challenges are discussed. The value of an integrated clinical approach with special emphasis on narrative methods both for achievement of clinical goals and for establishing a therapeutic alliance is highlighted. Sources Used The study used published literature and the author's professional and clinical experiences. Conclusion Nursing therapeutics with adolescents experiencing depression must embrace a holistic integrated approach to adolescent recovery with an emphasis on what works with each unique clinical situation. Special attention to the nurse–adolescent therapeutic alliance not only facilitates achievement of therapeutic goals related to the depressive illness, but in addition, supports the shaping of a new self‐narrative, wholeness, and healthy adolescent development and well‐being.