Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Childhood Mood DisordersSigns and SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentsCoping Strategies for Children

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Common Childhood Mood Disorders

Signs and Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatments

Coping Strategies for Children

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Childhoodmood disordersare mental health conditions that affect a child’s emotional state. When a child is experiencing a mood disorder, they will likely have thoughts and feelings that are intense, persistent, and hard to manage. These go beyond mad moods or occasional temper tantrums.

An estimated 14.3% of children, ages 13 to 18, have a mood disorder, and an estimated 11.2% have severe impairment. Mood disorders are also prevalent in approximately 38% ofADHDpatients.

At a GlanceChildhood emotional disorders include conditions that affect mood and behavior. Some of the most common include depression, bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Such conditions can cause symptoms including irritability, low energy levels, poor self-esteem, risky behavior, and problems at home and school. While the causes of childhood emotional disorders are complex, genetics, environmental stress, and lifestyle factors can play a role. If you believe your child might have a mood disorder, talk to their doctor. They can recommend treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication, that can help your child feel better.

At a Glance

Childhood emotional disorders include conditions that affect mood and behavior. Some of the most common include depression, bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Such conditions can cause symptoms including irritability, low energy levels, poor self-esteem, risky behavior, and problems at home and school. While the causes of childhood emotional disorders are complex, genetics, environmental stress, and lifestyle factors can play a role. If you believe your child might have a mood disorder, talk to their doctor. They can recommend treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication, that can help your child feel better.

Mental health conditions, such as ADHD,anxiety, and mood disorders, are common among children, but far too many go undiagnosed and untreated.

The most common childhood mood disorders include:

What is a Mood Disorder?

Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders in Children

“If your child is persistently sad or irritable for two weeks or more, resulting in missed school days or a decrease in academic performance, this coupled with a cluster of key signs and symptoms could be an indicator of an underlying mood disorder,” saidJasmin Scott-Hawkins, MD, MPH, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist.

When a bad mood begins to threaten safety or lead to functional impairment, it’s wise to speak with your pediatrician for guidance.—JASMIN SCOTT-HAWKINS, MD, MPH

When a bad mood begins to threaten safety or lead to functional impairment, it’s wise to speak with your pediatrician for guidance.

—JASMIN SCOTT-HAWKINS, MD, MPH

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Causes of a Mood Disorder

Any child can develop a mood or emotional disorder, no matter their background or identity. However, studies have shown that genetics play a significant role in the development of mood disorders. Heritability accounts for approximately 35% of major depression cases and 60-93% of bipolar disorder cases in children and adolescents.

Environmental factors can also play a role.If a child is living in a high-stress environment, engaging in unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor eating habits, poor sleep hygiene, unhealthy social media use, excessive screen time, or substance abuse, Dr. Scott-Hawkins explains, this can worsen a mood disorder.

Maternal use of tobacco products, alcohol, or illicit substances, even antidepressants, during pregnancy, can also increase a child’s risk of developing a mood disorder.

Diagnosis of a Childhood Mood Disorder

When diagnosing children, it’s important to visit a mental health professional who specializes in childhood mental health disorders, such as achild psychiatrist. Before recommending treatment, this clinical expert will conduct a full behavioral evaluation of the child. They may also recommend testing to rule out other conditions.

An in-depth behavioral health assessment would  evaluate:

Treatments for Mood Disorders

When treating a childhood emotional disorder, Dr. Scott-Hawkins recommends team-based collaboration between parents or guardians, teachers, therapists, pediatricians, and specialists, such as child psychiatrists or neurologists.

Some common mood disorder treatments include:

Psychotherapy

The APA recommendspsychotherapyas the first line of treatment for children with mood disorders. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. These therapies canhelp children(and their guardians) better understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – and how best to manage them.

Medication

Depending on the childhood mood disorder and severity of the condition, medication may be recommended for the child. Some of the most common medications used for mood disorder treatment includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), also as antidepressants, or mood stabilizers, including lithium, anticonvulsants, andantipsychotics.

When treating a child, Dr. Scott-Hawkins recommends maintaining healthy communication with your child, providing them a safe space to express changes in their mood.

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Children may not be able to identify or explain their symptoms, so it’s important to keep an open line of communication, help reduce stressors in the home, surround the child with a strong support system, and introduce them topositive habits, such as exercise, meditation, or yoga.

You can also incorporate the following into your child’s life:

Screen Time Recommendations For Your Child By Age

Takeaways

“If you notice a decline in your child’s functioning, speaking with a healthcare provider is the first step to building a team to support your child’s mental and emotional well-being,” said Dr. Scott-Hawkins.

A childhood emotional disorder can be hard to identify. If your child is experiencing a change in mood, try to be patient, supportive, and non-judgmental—and don’t be afraid to speak with a health or mental health professional. Early intervention can help prevent a worsening of the condition and improve your child’s symptoms.

What to Know About Childhood Depression

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Any mood disorder.Sulley S, Ndanga M, Mensah N.Pediatric and adolescent mood disorders: An analysis of factors that influence inpatient presentation in the United States.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022;9(2):89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.01.002Ogundele MO.Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for paediatricians.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018;7(1):9-26. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i1.9Carlson GA, Pataki C.Mood disorders of children and adolescents.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(1):9. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20150036Bhatia M, Goyal A.Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(2):75-76.Nordeng H, Lupattelli A, Wood M.Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.BMJ. 2017:j3950. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3950

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Any mood disorder.Sulley S, Ndanga M, Mensah N.Pediatric and adolescent mood disorders: An analysis of factors that influence inpatient presentation in the United States.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022;9(2):89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.01.002Ogundele MO.Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for paediatricians.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018;7(1):9-26. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i1.9Carlson GA, Pataki C.Mood disorders of children and adolescents.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(1):9. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20150036Bhatia M, Goyal A.Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(2):75-76.Nordeng H, Lupattelli A, Wood M.Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.BMJ. 2017:j3950. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3950

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Any mood disorder.Sulley S, Ndanga M, Mensah N.Pediatric and adolescent mood disorders: An analysis of factors that influence inpatient presentation in the United States.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022;9(2):89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.01.002Ogundele MO.Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for paediatricians.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018;7(1):9-26. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i1.9Carlson GA, Pataki C.Mood disorders of children and adolescents.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(1):9. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20150036Bhatia M, Goyal A.Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(2):75-76.Nordeng H, Lupattelli A, Wood M.Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.BMJ. 2017:j3950. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3950

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Any mood disorder.

Sulley S, Ndanga M, Mensah N.Pediatric and adolescent mood disorders: An analysis of factors that influence inpatient presentation in the United States.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022;9(2):89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.01.002

Ogundele MO.Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for paediatricians.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018;7(1):9-26. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i1.9

Carlson GA, Pataki C.Mood disorders of children and adolescents.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(1):9. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20150036

Bhatia M, Goyal A.Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(2):75-76.

Nordeng H, Lupattelli A, Wood M.Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.BMJ. 2017:j3950. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3950

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