engleski

Identifying and treating adolescent mental health problems in primary health care

The period from late adolescence to the mid twenties, known as transition to grown up age, is a risk period for development depression. Stomach pain, headache and fatigue are common symptoms in children and adolescents suffering from depression. Patients often fail to mention their emotional problems during the family physician’s consultation. Together with the physician’s insufficient ability to recognize the hidden part in the physician-patient relationship, it makes early diagnosis and adequate intervention more difficult. Aim: To enlighten the role of a well-educated family physician as a coordinator in team work and shared medical care in identifying and treating adolescent mental health problems. Method: Family physician’s bio-psychosocial approach. Results: Case report of an adolescent girl who developed depression connected to multiple family environment problems is presented. Problems connected to depression started five years ago. They appeared as somatic troubles, stomach pain and headache. The girl had a whole range of predisposing risk factors for depression, including the mother’s mental illness, deteriorated family relationships, multiple family violence, low support and cooperation with other family members. Conclusion: The role of a well-educated family physician as a coordinator in team work and shared medical care is crucial in identifying and treating adolescent mental health problems.

family medicine; comprehensive health care; adolescent; depression

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