By Katherine Sanger
Overview
Mood disorders, sometimes called "affective disorders," include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and several other types of mental health problems. It wasn't until the 1980s that doctors began to realize that these problems affected not just adults but also children and teens. It can take 8 to 10 years from first noticing the symptoms to actually getting your child the right diagnosis. If you are concerned, seek out a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist to get help as soon as possible.
Causes
It is believed that a chemical imbalance in neurotransmitters is responsible for mood disorders and depression in children. That alone does not appear to be the cause, however, since both genetic and environmental factors also play a role. In some cases, medical conditions (such as cancer or chronic illnesses) or substance abuse can cause mood disorders and depression.
Depression
Depression is not just feeling unhappy. It must be a "noticeable decrease" in pleasure or interest in daily activities that lasts for at least 2 weeks. An estimated 7 to 14 percent of children have a bout of depression before they are 15. Girls have an almost doubled risk (5 to 9 percent) compared with boys (3 to 4 percent).
Bipolar Disorder
Depression is part of bipolar disorder (also called manic depression). In children with bipolar disorder, there are two episodes: one of extreme depression and one of mania. Mania occurs when the child has a persistently elevated mood. Almost one-third of adults with bipolar disorder had their first episodes before they were 20.
Dysthymic Disorder
Dysthymic disorder is a mood disorder similar to depression, but it lasts for at least 1 year.
Symptoms
While not all children get all symptoms of the mood disorder they are suffering from, the most common symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, inadequacy, excessive guilt, irritability, aggression or hostility; low self-esteem; suicidal thoughts or thoughts of death; sleep problems; changes in weight and appetite; difficulty thinking or making decisions; and recurrent physical complaints without basis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis in children can be difficult because children are not always able to describe how they feel. It is also difficult because symptoms can vary widely from child to child and from adults to children. A diagnosis will be made by a child psychiatrist. If you feel a diagnosis is incorrect, always seek a second opinion.
Treatment
Treatment will often include both therapy sessions with a licensed psychologist and medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. Medication alone is not always effective, and your child may need regular appointments and blood draws to determine if the medicine is at the right level to be effective.
Mood Disorders and Depression in Children by abundantwellness.com