{"id":610,"date":"2011-04-03T13:54:30","date_gmt":"2011-04-03T20:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.graywolfproductions.com\/parenting201\/?p=610"},"modified":"2011-04-03T13:54:30","modified_gmt":"2011-04-03T20:54:30","slug":"mood-disorders-in-childhood-yes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.graywolfproductions.com\/parenting201\/mood-disorders-in-childhood-yes","title":{"rendered":"Mood Disorders? In Childhood? Yes!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

First a disclaimer: Although I have a Ph.D. in psychology, none of what I write here is meant to diagnose, evaluate or meant to be more than  informational or educational.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This issue most always comes up when I teach a class on human  development – so here is my long post on the topic!
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What are mood disorders?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the DSM-IV [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition] mood disorders are “disorders that have a disturbance in mood as the predominant feature.”  While this may sound like an odd definition – it is a common way to define terms in the realm of mental health.  [Like IQ is what the IQ Test measures.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mood disorders include major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder and a person needs to be diagnosed by a professional who uses the DSM-IV as the guide to determine if that person meets the criteria for the particular disorder.  [And even within a diagnosis there are features and causes that can be further classified.] <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Many disorders are not clearly seen until a child is nearing adolescence – but signs and symptoms can be seen earlier – even if the child does not meet the full criteria for the disorder. <\/span><\/span><\/o><\/p>\n

It is also possible we don't "see" this as a problem because we have some cultural reluctance to see young children or teens as depressed or suicidal.  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Added to this is that teenagers often go through what I call a “period of normal craziness.” <\/span><\/span><\/o><\/p>\n

But young children and teens can and do have mood disorders – and they are crippling in a few ways and can be crippling at those young ages. <\/span><\/span><\/o><\/p>\n

Mood disorders can<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n