10.Mood Disorders

10.1.What are Mood Disorders ?

Mood disorders is a term used to describe mental health problems in aperson’s emotional state, and includes both bipolar and depressive disorders.Some mood disorders are chronic, and will need to be managed throughout life.

10.2.Types of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders include:

 Major depression. A two-week period of a depressed or irritable mood or anoticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities along withother signs of a mood disorder.

Dysthymic disorder (dysthymia). A chronic, low-grade, depressed orirritable mood for at least one year.

Bipolar disorder. At least one episode of a depressed or irritable moodand at least one period of a manic (persistently elevated) mood.

Mood disorder due to a general medical condition. Many medical illnesses(including cancer, injuries, infections and chronic medical illnesses) cantrigger symptoms of depression.

Substance induced mood disorder. Symptoms of depression that are due tothe effects of medication, drug abuse, exposure to toxins or other forms oftreatment.

10.3.What Causes Mood Disorders?

Most likely, mood disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in thebrain. Family history and genetics are involved, as adolescents who have aparent with a mood disorder have a greater than 50 percent chance of having amood disorder themselves. A history of trauma or abuse can also be a factor inthe development of a mood disorder.

10.4.Who Is Affected by Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders are more intense and difficult to manage than normalfeelings of sadness, anxiety or excitement. When parents get divorced, a lovedone dies, a break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend happens, or grades are notwhat the adolescent wants them to be, coping with the pressure may bedifficult. These life events and stress can bring on feelings of sadness, depression,mood disorders, or make the mood harder to manage.

10.5.What Are the Signs of Mood Disorders?

The following are the most common signs of mood disorders. Each adolescentmay experience signs differently.

Loss of interest in usual activities

Sleep disturbances

Changes in appetite or weight

Decreased energy

Feeling sad

Feeling anxious

Feeling hopeless or helpless

Having low self-esteem

Feeling inadequate or worthless

Difficulty concentrating

A decrease in the ability to make decisions

Feelings of wanting to die

Suicidal thought or attempts

In mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than the naturalfluctuations in an adolescent's mood. It is also of concern if these feelingscontinue over a period of time, or interfere with an adolescent's interest inbeing with friends or taking part in daily activities at home or school. Anyadolescent who expresses thoughts of suicide should be evaluated immediately.

Other signs of possible mood disorders include:

Difficulty achieving in school

Constant anger

Rebellious acts

Trouble with family

Difficulty with friends and peers

Impulsive, potentially dangerous behavior

Signs of mood disorders may resemble other medical conditions or mentalhealth disorders. Symptoms may differ in younger children, and may be seen asirritable. Young children may change how they interact, withdraw or start toact out behaviorally. Some can have severe hyperactivity and impulsivity.Always consult your child's physician or mental health professional for adiagnosis.

10.6.How Are Mood Disorders Diagnosed?

A psychiatrist trained in child and adolescent psychiatry or other mentalhealth professional may diagnose a mood disorder following a comprehensivepsychiatric evaluation. It is important to remember that a mood disorder is areal illness and getting medical help as soon as symptoms are observed is keyto recovery and management of the disorder.

10.7.Treatment for Mood Disorders

Specific treatment will be determined by your child's physician orqualified mental health professional based on:

Your child's age, overall health and medical history

The severity of your child's symptoms

The type of mood disorder

Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies

Expectations for the course of the mood disorder

Mood disorders can be effectively treated. Treatment should always bebased on a comprehensive evaluation of the adolescent and family. Treatmentrecommendations may include individual therapy for the adolescent, familytherapy, and sometimes consultation with the adolescent's school. Someadolescents may also benefit from treatment with an antidepressant medicationand / or mood stabilizers. Parents play an important supportive role in anytreatment process.

10.8.Prevention of Mood Disorders

Preventive measures to reduce the incidence of mood disorders inadolescents are not known at this time. However, early detection andintervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, enhance the child's oradolescent's normal growth and development and improve quality of life.