Journal Article Critique #1

Rodney Barnes

Journal Article Title:

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Title of Journal:

American Family Physician

Volume: Date: Page Numbers:

Vol. 62/ No. 10 11/15/2000 2297-2312

Publishing Organization:

The American Academy of Family Physicians

Overall Evaluation:

Very Good

Why did you choose to review this particular article?

This article was a required reading assignment for Methods of Research in Allied Health class.

Article Rating:

This article is very interesting reading for a research class. It provides examples of double-blind studies as well as questionnaires which are used in diagnosis of depression.

Readability:

This article was easy to read. Most of the terminology was familiar. It also followed a good outline from diagnosis to treatment.

Course Topics covered:

The article covered topics related to research (questionnaires) and studies related to the medical therapy (double-blind placebo).

Brief Summary:

Depression in children was relatively unheard of until the recent 40 years. Now it has been determined that 1% of preschool, 2 percent of school-aged children and 5 to 8 percent of adolescents suffer from depression. The signs and symptoms of depression can range anywhere from a general feeling of sadness to manic episodes and thoughts of suicide. Some of the major risk factors are family history, family conflict, doing poorly in school, and uncertainty about sexual orientation.

Diagnosing depression is not quite as difficult in older children because they can talk, but it can be quite difficult in preschool children. The Pediatric Symptom Check list, which is to be filled out by parents, is used as a screening tool in an office setting. After diagnosis, the patient undergoes complete medical and psychiatric evaluations.

Psychotherapy is the most common form of treatment, especially for younger children. Beyond that there are medical therapies such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The most common or “optimal” treatment is education of both the patient and the family.

Identify and attempt to explain three (3) terms, procedures or concepts that were unfamiliar to you when reviewing this article.

1.) Comorbid conditions: Pertaining to two diseases which occur together, such as ADHD and depression

2.) Dysthymic Disorder: This term relates to a depressed or irritable mood for most of the day, for more days than not for one year.

3.) Anticholinergic: Inhibiting or blocking the physiologic action of acetylcholine at a receptor site.

Detail the strengths/weaknesses of this article.

The article was very easy to read and follow and was very informative about a subject that is not commonly known about.

There weren’t really any major weaknesses that I noticed.

How might this article be useful to you in your further studies and career?

In radiology we work a lot with children and it is good to be able to recognize signs of depression that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Does the article include a list of references/citations that can be used to find more information on the topics they cover?

Yes, this article provides a list of 30 references.


				*Journal Article Critique #1*



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		Rodney Barnes Journal Article Critique #1 *Journal Article Title:* Depression in Children and Adolescents *Title of Journal:* American Family Physician *Volume:* Date: Page Numbers: Vol. 62/ No. 10 11/15/2000 2297-2312 *Publishing Organization:* The American Academy of Family Physicians *Overall Evaluation:* Very Good *Why did you choose to review this particular article?* This article was a required reading assignment for Methods of Research in Allied Health class. *Article Rating:* This article is very interesting reading for a research class. It provides examples of double-blind studies as well as questionnaires which are used in diagnosis of depression. *Readability:* This article was easy to read. Most of the terminology was familiar. It also followed a good outline from diagnosis to treatment. *Course Topics covered:* The article covered topics related to research (questionnaires) and studies related to the medical therapy (double-blind placebo). *Brief Summary:* Depression in children was relatively unheard of until the recent 40 years. Now it has been determined that 1% of preschool, 2 percent of school-aged children and 5 to 8 percent of adolescents suffer from depression. The signs and symptoms of depression can range anywhere from a general feeling of sadness to manic episodes and thoughts of suicide. Some of the major risk factors are family history, family conflict, doing poorly in school, and uncertainty about sexual orientation. Diagnosing depression is not quite as difficult in older children because they can talk, but it can be quite difficult in preschool children. The Pediatric Symptom Check list, which is to be filled out by parents, is used as a screening tool in an office setting. After diagnosis, the patient undergoes complete medical and psychiatric evaluations. Psychotherapy is the most common form of treatment, especially for younger children. Beyond that there are medical therapies such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The most common or “optimal” treatment is education of both the patient and the family. *Identify and attempt to explain three (3) terms, procedures or concepts that were unfamiliar to you when reviewing this article.* 1.) Comorbid conditions: Pertaining to two diseases which occur together, such as ADHD and depression 2.) Dysthymic Disorder: This term relates to a depressed or irritable mood for most of the day, for more days than not for one year. 3.) Anticholinergic: Inhibiting or blocking the physiologic action of acetylcholine at a receptor site. *Detail the strengths/weaknesses of this article.* The article was very easy to read and follow and was very informative about a subject that is not commonly known about. There weren’t really any major weaknesses that I noticed. *How might this article be useful to you in your further studies and career?* In radiology we work a lot with children and it is good to be able to recognize signs of depression that might otherwise go unnoticed. *Does the article include a list of references/citations that can be used to find more information on the topics they cover?* Yes, this article provides a list of 30 references.