Teen Mood Disorder
What is a Mood Disorder? The American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) defines Mood Disorders as those disorders that have as their central feature a significant disturbance in mood. According to the DSM-IV, mood disturbance consists of two symptoms
• depressed mood (feeling sad, blue, or down in the dumps) and
• lack of interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day
Types of Mood Disorders
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) – often called clinical depression or major depression; having a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed for a period of at least two weeks
- Mild to Moderate Depression – a milder form of major depression with symptoms that are prolonged
- Bipolar Disorder – dramatic and unpredictable mood swings; feeling very happy and more active than usual (manic) or feeling very sad and much less active than normal (depression)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a mood disorder with a seasonal pattern
- Substance Induced Mood Disorders – a mood disorder induced by use of drugs or alcohol
Treatment for Mood Disorders includes medication and/or psychotherapy. Triumph Youth Services uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in individual therapy combined with group and family therapy to treat each youth’s issues. CBT is effective in changing behavior, recognizing and restructuring distorted thoughts.
In addition to the therapy, the Positive Peer Culture utilized in Triumph Youth Services facilities help the youth process their issues and build skills for their own personal progress. This includes consistent group counseling and peer mentoring, which are crucial for helping teens learn appropriate behaviors and change thinking patterns.
Our staff members are trained and encouraged to be effective leaders by serving as teachers or coaches who hold the young men responsible for working on problems and to act as limit setters and good listeners.
The clinicians at Triumph Youth Services are highly trained and have extensive experience working with adolescent youth. Our clinicians are licensed and approved as mental health professionals to provide individual, group and family therapy.
