Depression & Mood Disorders in Children & Adolescents

What is Depression and How Can it Affect Children?

Mood Disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD), Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) can affect children and adolescents, despite typically being diagnosed in adulthood.

It is thought that depression is one of the most under-diagnosed psychiatric and medical conditions in children. Depression and other mood disorders cause an individual to feel emotional distress that can be severe and persistent. Many do not realize that depression can occur even when a child or adolescent has a healthy and supportive environment – this is why these conditions are called “disorders,” as one’s emotional state is not fully explained by their environment.

Children and Adolescents often lack the ability to articulate their emotions and feelings, which can make recognizing and diagnosing depression and mood disorders in children and adolescents challenging. It can be incredibly frustrating for a child to feel inner distress, sadness or other symptoms, without the ability to understand why they are feeling that way, and the ability to articulate their emotions.

Mood Disorders are treatable medical conditions, and psychiatric diagnosis and treatment should be started as early as possible, to reduce the long-term effects of the illness. “Treatment” does not always mean medication management, but we believe that it is vital that children are evaluated by an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist, who can discuss all options and monitor symptoms and progress over time.

• Mood Disorders in children and adolescents often present with anger, irritability and behavioral disturbances, which is one of the reasons why they are under-recognized and diagnosed.

What are examples of Depression and Mood Disorders that can Affect Children and Adolescents?

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (PMDD)
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

How Common are Depression and other Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents? 

Approximately 20% of adults will struggle with a mood disorder during their life-time. The incidence in children and adolescents is not completely clear, but many children who are later diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder or other mood disorders, begin displaying symptoms during their childhood and/or teenage years.

What are the Goals in Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Depression or other Mood Disorders?

Treatment for children and adolescents with Depression or other Mood Disorders should be tailored to the individual, and their specific struggles and difficulties. Goals for Depression and mood disorder treatment in children and adolescents may include:

• An improvement in overall mood, and decreased struggles with sadness
• Improved emotional stability and reduced stress
• An improved ability for a child to be present in the moment, and enjoy their surroundings and those around them
• Improved self-confidence
• Improved social interactions with peers, teachers and family.
• To reduce the risks of maladaptive behaviors and coping mechanisms, such as current or later substance abuse, self-harm behaviors or acting out
• To reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts, or serious adverse consequences from depression
• To help a child reach their full potential, and limit the effect that struggles with their mood will play in their social, academic, and occupational lives, as well as their relationships.

What Types of Treatment are Available for Children and Adolescents with Depression, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Bipolar Disorder or other Mood Disorders?

Treatment for Depression and other Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents may include:

• Recommendations for Accommodations for school, including a 504 plan and/or IEP plan.
• Coordination of services and collaboration with the child’s pediatrician and school.
• Psychotherapy for depression, emotional dysregulation and low mood.
• Medication Management for your child’s Depression or Mood Disorder. Medication management should be tailored to the individual by an expert psychiatrist who is Fellowship Trained and Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Your provider should discuss risks and benefits of treatment options, to determine the best treatment for your child’s specific condition.

Do you Offer both In-office and Virtual Online Psychiatric Appointments for Children with Depression and other Mood Disorders?

Yes, we offer both in-office and virtual online psychiatric appointments for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) and other Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents.

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for my Child’s Depression and Mood Disorder Evaluation and Treatment?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at academic institutions. Our Child Psychiatrists are Fellowship Trained, Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, who are expert clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of Depression and Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents.

• Fellowship Trained and Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists
• Academically Oriented providers, many of whom teach, or have taught, at local Academic Institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital & The University of Pennsylvania.
• Appointments generally available within 2 weeks.
• In-office and online Virtual Appointments for the treatment of Depression and Mood Disorders in children and adolescents
• Providers experienced in treating co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

Our general Child & Adolescent Psychiatry page can be found here