Behavioral phenomena of depression in adolescence

Abstract

To study behavioral phenomena of depressive disorders in adolescence. Ninety-five patients, aged 12 to 17 years, with a mixed disorder of emotions and behavior without cognitive impairment and psychotic disorders were examined. Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-follow-up methods, Beck scales, the Spielberger-Khanin scale, Zung and PDO questionnaires, statistical analysis were used. The structure of this syndrome included affective disorders: low mood (n=84 88.4%), loss of interest in studies, everyday life (n=81, 85.3%) and behavioral disorders: manifestation of aggression (n=47, 49.5%), auto-aggression (n=44, 46.3%), suicidal thoughts (n=34, 35.8%), decrease in academic performance (n=35, 36.8%), low motivation for learning, refusal to attend school (n=24, 25.3%). Clinical assessment of the characteristics of behavioral disorders demonstrated the heterogeneity of symptoms, which made it possible to distinguish two groups: psychopathic and anxious behavior. In group I, (n=47, 38.3%) predominated aggression, protest reactions (72.3%), (p<0.001), conflicts with teachers, classmates (87.2%), (p=0.014), addictions (25.5%), (p=0.011). In group II (n=48, 22.9%), there were anxiety symptoms (60.4%, p=0.00015), emotional lability, isolation, with a predominance of schizoid personality traits (62.5%) (χ2=.56, p=0.024, φ=0.242) and with a weak emancipation reaction (78.6%) (χ2=5.16, p=0.04, φ=0.233). Behind the behavioral phenomena of depressive disorders, psychopathic and anxious symptom complexes can occur. These disorders determine the dynamic aspect of the formation of a depressive disorder and occur mainly at the onset of the syndrome. Only long-term follow-up of such patients can answer the question of which nosological form adolescent depression belongs to.