Mood disorder in children

Ranging from ongoing sadness or depression to moving between intense depression and happiness, mood disorders are feelings or states of mind that negatively affect children.

Mental health problems mood disorders can take various forms, from major depressive disorder to less common conditions, such as bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Children, teens, and adults can have mood disorders. But children and teens don’t always have the same symptoms as adults. A mood disorder is a real medical condition, not something a child will likely just "get over” on his own.

Many factors contribute to mood disorders. They are likely caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals. Life events (such as stressful life changes) may also contribute to a depressed mood. 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 many cases, females are more susceptible to developing mood disorders than males. This would indicate that there are hormonal and genetic factors at play.

A combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors causes mood disorders. Mood disorders runs in families, but it can also occur in people without a family history of the condition.

Children who have relatives with depression are at increased risk for depression. In addition, a family history of bipolar disorder may predispose a child to have bipolar disorder or other mood disorder.

Signs and symptoms of children’s mood disorder:
*Severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings
*Hyperactive, impulsive, aggressive or socially inappropriate behavior
*Insomnia or significantly decreased need for sleep
*Depressed or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day during a depressive episode
Mood disorder in children

Depression in children

Depression is a disorder that affects thoughts, moods, feelings, behavior and physical health. The main types of depression include major depression, dysthymia, adjustments disorders, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder. According to experts, major depression, dysthymic and bipolar disorders are the most frequently diagnosed mood disorders in children and adolescents. Studies show that 10 to 15 percent of children and adolescents have some symptoms of depression, according to United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

There is no single cause of depression in children, but experts say the illness often runs in the family. Other factors that may trigger depression include stressful life events, long-term use of some medications and chronic illnesses.

Depression is often difficult to diagnose in children, experts say, because some of the behaviors associated with depression can be normal patterns of behavior in a growing child. Researchers say some of the signs of depression in adolescents and children include sadness that won't go away and a decreased interest in playing or involvement in favorite activities. If your child is moody, irritable or has suicidal thoughts, those are serious signs that you should pay close attention to--especially if those types of behavior last for long periods.

Mood Disorders

The Depression
Definition
The person felt sad, or melancholy, from time to time. But there is a point where the ache of sadness becomes chronic and insufferable, a mountain of pain to its victim. Mood disorders, predominantly Depression and Bi-polar syndromes, are said to strike one in seven of the population.

Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
The two principal classifications for mood disorders are bi-polar (also known as manic-depression) and depression alone. Bi-polarity is characterized by wild mood swings ranging from deep sadness and depression to euphoric and manic type behavior. Depression is defined as a deep overriding sadness and feelings of despair. These feelings are all pervasive and don't disappear in time.

Children and adults who suffer from mood disorders cannot cope well in society. When depressed, they experience a loss of interest and lack of enjoyment in life. For a person with bi-polar disorder, the manic swings can create a disruptive influence on all aspects of their life and the lives of everyone around them.

Bi-polar disorder is classified in two categories: Bi-polar I and Bi-Polar II. Bipolar I Disorder is considered the classic form of manic depression, with full Manic Episodes and Major Depressive Episodes. Bipolar II Disorder involves Major Depressive Episodes and Hypomanic (non-full-blown Mania) Episodes. Since a significant portion of those suffering with manic depression do not have full manic episodes, the classification was divided into Bipolar I and Bipolar II. However, Bipolar II is often a first step to Bipolar I.

Bi-polar disorder appears to run in families, and there is some evidence that a biological vulnerability towards bi-polarity could be inherited. However, not everyone with this genetic vulnerability has the illness. Major depression also seems to appear generationally, but it too can occur in persons with no family history of the disease. An important factor that the research has uncovered is that major depressive disorder is associated with a neuro-chemical imbalance in the brain.
The Depression