Children’s innocence and love of fun can make them a joy to have around. They can light up your world and give you a reason to smile. They can also have tantrums and make you question your parenting abilities from time to time. Having a tantrum can be a “normal” part of childhood, however, if their meltdowns are frequent and intense it may be worth looking deeper. Sometimes this can be a symptom of a mood disorder in children.

A mood disorder can seem to steal the joy from your child’s young life. It can deter them from achieving and maximizing their potential. If it goes unrecognized and untreated, their disorder can follow them through adolescence and into adulthood. However, mood disorders are treatable. Counseling and psychiatric medication management can help.

The more you learn about mood disorders the better able you are to step in and get your child help if they need it.

What Are They?

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by mood changes. Mood Disorders include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and bipolar disorders to name a few. According to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers believe that mood disorders in children remain one of the most underdiagnosed health problems.

Causes and Triggers

The actual causes and triggers of mood disorders are not clear. It is now widely held that these conditions involve biological, psychological, and genetic components working together. According to PsychGuides, “the most enduring theories involve neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain, causing an imbalance that leads to depression.”

If a mood disorder runs in the family, know that its expression can be triggered by environmental factors, such as traumatic life events, major life challenges, and life-changing transitions.

Symptoms of Mood Disorders

The signs and symptoms of mood disorders in children are sometimes difficult to recognize. Young children may be unable to verbalize their feelings. Symptoms may also vary depending on the age of the child, their personality, their biological makeup, their environment and the kind of mood issue they have.

Stanford Children’s Health identifies these emotional and physical symptoms of mood disorders:

• Persistent feelings of sadness
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Having low self-esteem
• Feeling inadequate
• Excessive guilt
• Feelings of wanting to die
• Loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed
• Difficulty with relationships
• Sleep disturbances (for example, insomnia, or hypersomnia)
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• A decrease in the ability to make decisions
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Frequent physical complaints (for example, headache, stomachache, or fatigue)
• Running away or threats of running away from home
• Hypersensitivity to failure or rejection
• Irritability, hostility, aggression

Remember that your child’s symptoms may be different. This is why it is best to seek professional help to get your child’s symptoms evaluated properly.

Mood Disorders Are Treatable

The idea of your child having a mood disorder can be frightening and overwhelming. It is important to remember that mood disorders are treatable and you are NOT alone. Therapy and medication management can effectively treat mood disorders and help your child begin to feel like themselves again.

Carolina Counseling Services in Fuquay-Varina contracts with caring licensed therapists and psychiatric professionals that know how to treat mood disorders. Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and many more. Call today to learn more and schedule your first appointment!

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Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.