Common Mental Disorders Depression - New Zealand Doctor
Common Mental Disorders Depression - New Zealand Doctor
Common Mental Disorders Depression - New Zealand Doctor
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Chapter 3 Recognition and assessment of common mental disorders in young people/rangatahi/tamariki<br />
Conduct disorder<br />
Conduct disorder consists of a repetitive and persistent pattern of behaviours in which the<br />
basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms or rules of society are violated. 243<br />
The defining features are as follows: 205<br />
• often bullies<br />
• initiates physical fights<br />
• physically cruel to people or animals<br />
• stealing<br />
• forced sexual activity with others<br />
• deliberate fire setting or destruction of property<br />
• often lies<br />
• runs away<br />
• is truant.<br />
The diagnosis requires at least 3 symptoms for 12 months and is more common in boys.<br />
Most young people with conduct disorder have a history of disruptive behaviour<br />
and defiance from early childhood but problems can become more severe during<br />
adolescence. 205 Sudden development of conduct disorder is unusual in adolescents<br />
and may be associated with depression, substance misuse or psychosocial problems. 188<br />
Substance misuse<br />
Substance use and misuse are strongly linked to puberty and are uncommon in young<br />
children, though the age of initiation is steadily dropping. 246 Clinical impressions of<br />
alcohol and drug involvement frequently underestimate use, so young people who<br />
disclose in a routine HEEADSSS interview that they have used cigarettes, drunk alcohol<br />
or used other drugs should be further assessed through direct questioning to determine<br />
their level of use. 59,247<br />
Comorbidity<br />
A large number of studies have shown that young people who present with one<br />
disorder (eg, conduct disorder) are at increased risk of other disorders (eg, substance<br />
use or depressive disorders). In the Christchurch and Dunedin longitudinal studies,<br />
around 40% of <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> 18-year-olds who met the criteria for a mental disorder<br />
had more than one disorder. 45<br />
Identification of <strong>Common</strong> <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Disorders</strong> and Management of <strong>Depression</strong> in Primary Care 37