
The specialist may also use a variety of techniques to help your child manage the symptoms of the mood disorder, including
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The specialist will identify key problems in your child's life and help your child learn how to manage these stressors. It can also enhance your child’s normal growth and development and improve his or her quality of life and relationships.Ī CHOP specialist will design a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s symptoms and other factors unique to her situation. Treatment can help manage the episode, reduce the severity of symptoms, and help to prevent future episodes. Mood disorders can be treated with evidence-based treatments, especially with early recognition of the problem. Expressions of suicidal thoughts, which should be evaluated immediately. Running away or threats of running away from home. Increased energy or bursts of energy with racing thoughts or fast speech. Worthlessness, guilt, or low self-esteem. Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue. Changes in sleep or eating patterns or weight. Lack of motivation or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. Trouble with family, including difficult behavior. Sad, depressed, irritable, angry, or elevated mood that appears more intense than the child usually feels, lasts for a longer period of time, or occurs more frequently. Overall signs of a mood disorder may include: Symptoms also vary according to the type of mood disorder. Boys and girls are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.Ĭhildren show symptoms differently, according to their age and biological makeup. Girls are at least twice as likely as boys to develop depression. Symptoms of depression due to drug use, the effects of a medication, or exposure to toxins. Many medical illnesses, including cancer, injuries, and chronic medical illnesses, can trigger symptoms of depression. Mood disorder due to a general medical condition.
This includes depressive symptoms, irritability, and tension before menstruation. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. A persistent irritability and extreme inability to control behavior.Bipolar disorder. Periods of persistently elevated mood followed by periods of depressed or flat emotional response.
A chronic, low-grade, depressed or irritable mood for at least 1 year. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).A depressed or irritable mood, lasting at least two weeks. The most common mood disorders in children and adolescents include: So it can be difficult for parents to recognize a problem in their child, especially since he or she may not easily express his or her thoughts or feelings. Children and teens with a mood disorder don’t always show the same symptoms as adults. Mood disorders that go undiagnosed can put kids at risk for other conditions, like disruptive behavior and substance use disorders, that remain after the mood disorder is treated. Today, clinicians and researchers believe that mood disorders in children remain one of the most underdiagnosed health problems. A mood disorder is a real medical condition, not something a child will likely just "get over” on his own. Unlike a normal bad mood a child feels occasionally, a mood disorder involves thoughts and feelings that are intense, difficult to manage, and persistent. In any of these disorders, a serious change in mood shapes your child’s emotional state. Mental health problems ranging from depression to bipolar disorder are known as mood disorders, or affective disorders.