Teenage is one of the most complex and trying stages in one’s development that puts a lot of pressure on youth and their families. It is during this period that one undergoes through serious emotional and psychological shifts that sometimes cause mood disorders. With the help of these signs, teenagers who have these disorders or those who know someone with these disorders can get the appropriate treatment that is very important for the health of a teenager. In this article, we will explore common mood disorders in teens, their symptoms, and the available treatments.
What are Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders, as the name suggests, are mental disorders which are cyclical and affect the multiple aspects of the life of the affected party. These disorders may include persistent of depression all the way through bipolar disorder. Depression and bipolar disorder can affect the teenager’s performances at school, and daily functioning, as well as their ability to engage in interpersonal relationships.
The following are some of the most frequently experienced mood disorders among teenagers:
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Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Depression is one of the most common mood disorders observed in teenagers and is medically referred to as Major Depressive Disorder. It is a condition which entails constant feeling of depression, despondency, and loss of interest in what used to be enjoyable. Sometimes, depression in teens manifests in changes in eating habits, sleeping pattern and they may feel tired most of the time. They may find it hard to focus and interact as they may have anhedonic tendencies and thoughts of this nature – thoughts of worthlessness.
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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is the mood disorder involving mania and hypomania as the high states and depressive episode as the low state in the affective polarity. The main diagnosable symptoms that may be observed in the teen with bipolar disorder include periods of elation, energy, and impulse control followed by times of severe depression. These are mood swings that can really affect the day to day activities and interaction of an individual.
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Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
The first example of chronic depression is Persistent Depressive Disorder, most commonly called dysthymia. Dysthymia subjects feel low, gloomy mood more than half the days throughout the year, for at least one year. The issue indicates that they are not experiencing major depression; however, the symptoms are still able to negatively affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.
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Another is the Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder or more commonly referred to as DMDD.
DMDD is a mood disorder, characterized by serious episodes of anger at least once a week that seems to be improper. DMDD is characterised by frenzied irritability and angry mood and children with DMDD experience recurrent, very serious temper tantrums that are problematic. This is a childhood and adolescent diagnosed disorder.
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Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is another type of bipolar disorder but considered less serious than bipolar II disorder. Cyclothymic disorder is a condition that sees teens suffering from mood swings but these are not as drastic as those seen in bipolar disorder. They have hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes, but the periods of both these states are not very drastic or protracted as seen in case of bipolar affective disorder.
Adolescents’ Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders
The following provides certain symptoms of mood disorders to help parents and educators identify these in teenagers so that necessary help can be sought. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping)
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Irritability or anger
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Thoughts of death or suicide
These symptoms might differ in intensity and duration of the process and thus should be taken into consideration. In case you observe any of these signs in your adolescent, then it is adviseable to consult a doctor.
Causes and Risk Factors
Adolescent mood disorders result from a combination of factors namely; genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological. Some common risk factors include:Some common risk factors include:
- Family history of mood disorders
- Traumatic or stressful life events
- Chronic medical conditions
- Substance abuse
- Hormonal changes during puberty
- Poor self-esteem or body image issues
- Academic or social pressures
From these findings the possible preventive measures for mood disorders in teen can be implemented from understanding these risk factors of teen.
Looking at the Treatment of Mood Disorders in Teens
The conventional management of mood disorders in adolescents is through counseling, medication, and alterations in one’s daily routine. Speaking of the possibilities of the treatment of mood disorders in teenagers, it is crucial to underline that the prognosis can be made significantly better if the necessary steps are taken in the early stages of the disease, as well as if the patient gets proper treatment.
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Psychotherapy
Counseling that involves talking with a therapist is also known as psychotherapy, is widely used in the management of mood disorders in teenagers. Different types of psychotherapy can be effective, including:Different types of psychotherapy can be effective, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy involves the assessment of various thought processes and behavior patterns that may have an impact on a teen’s mood disorder in order to tweak them.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): It is used in treating families, couples, groups and individuals with the aim of enhancing interactions hence minimizing the manifestations of mood disorders.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): CBT-M outlines this therapy as a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy to assist adolescents in regulating their feelings and learning how to deal with stress.
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Medication
At times, doctors recommend the use of drugs that can ease the signs of mood disorders or the experience of the mood swings. Common medications include:
- Antidepressants: These medicines can be beneficial for having positive effects in depressive symptoms or to improve mood.
- Mood Stabilizers: Some of these drugs are employed to manage bipolar disorder and this therefore assist in regulating moods.
- Antipsychotics: Such medications can be prescribed together with other medications as a treatment of severe mood disorders.
Thus, please consult your healthcare provider in order to identify an acceptable medication and its dosage for a teenager and to exclude adverse effects.
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Lifestyle Changes
It is noteworthy that the establishment of health promoting daily practices is highly influential in mood disorders. Encourage your teen to:
- Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule: It is said that it is always better to sleep early and wake up early as it makes a person more relax and fresh.
- Engage in Physical Activity: Some research as a direct consequence has demonstrated that exercise regimens relieve symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Balancing the food intake helps improve the mental health as well as energy levels in a person.
- Practice Stress-Reduction Techniques: This way, yogas, meditations, and deep inhalations can play a crucial role in the reduction of stress and enhancement of mood.
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Family Support and Education
Another factor that is vital in mood disorders treatment among adolescents is the family engagement. Informing the family about the disease and including them in therapy may also be helpful and bring benefits for the improvement of the patient’s condition. Families can be educated about proper ways of communicating and handling situations with an aim of giving proper support to the teenager.
Conclusion
It is important to focus on mood disorders in teenagers as they are severe conditions that should be treated. If the children are diagnosed in their initial stage showing signs and symptoms, then it is possible to manage the treatment effectively in delivering quality life for teenagers. If you have a feeling that your teen may be suffering a mood disorder, do not wait and see, get professional help as soon as possible. Many teens with mood disorders can and do go on to have productive lives if they receive the help they need and the right treatment.
