Are you concerned your teen is more than moody?

My teen has been moody for a long time. Now he seems angry all the time and depressed. I think he is drinking alcohol and smoking pot? What do I do?

A Mood Disorder is more than the typical teenage moodiness or irritability. Mood Disorders are a significant disturbance in mood that lasts longer than two weeks.

Mood Disorders are classified in the following categories:

 

Definitions:

  • Depressive (persistent low mood; extreme sadness)
  • Manic or Mania (persistent high mood; opposite of depression)
  • Hypomania (persistent and pervasive elevated or irritable mood)
  • Mixed (persistent mania and depression)

 

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), often referred to as clinical depression, is when a person feels severe depression, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, extreme sadness, sleep problems and/or suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Mild or Moderate Depression is not as severe as MDD, however, a person still experiences many of the symptoms for at least two weeks or longer.

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by unpredictable mood swings which go from depression (very sad and less active) to mania (very happy and more active.)

Substance induced mood disorders can vary depending on the drug used. Stimulants such as: Methamphetamines, amphetamines, cocaine, Ritalin, Adderall, Crystal Meth, etc. can cause mania, hypomania, mixed or depressive incidents.

Depressant drugs such as: alcohol, GHB, barbiturates, tranquilizers, Valium etc. cause depressive incidents. Alcoholics have a high rate of Major Depressive Disorder. Suicidal thoughts or actions are also very common among alcoholics.

Treatment for Mood Disorders is therapy and medication.

Specifically for Depression, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has been successful in individual and group settings. CBT utilizes mood journals and teaches awareness of negative and distorted thought patterns and ways to change them; as well as, how thoughts affect behavior. Antidepressant medication is usually prescribed for depression.

Bipolar Disorder treatment also uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in individual, group and family settings. CBT is effective in recognizing how behavior is connected to thought patterns. Using mood journals and other techniques in therapy, the person learns to change thoughts patterns and behavior. Medications for teenagers with Bipolar Disorder include: mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and Lithium.

This is a lot of information and it can seem scary to think your son or daughter has a Mood Disorder. Do not be fearful. Depression is very prevalent among teenagers and there is help available for it and other mood disorders.

Sometimes removing the teen from their environment can help them focus on their issues and get the help they need to return home with skills to cope with their problems and be successful.

Triumph Youth Services has been treating teenage boys and young men for several years with a depression, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse problems, alcohol problems and a variety of other teen issues.

Triumph Youth Services offers a small, highly structured family environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors.

Triumph Youth Services provides a daily Life Skills Group. The goal of our Life Skills Group training program is to teach the student a new set of responses to social situations, as well as how to integrate his behavior with others in the environment. 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.

Call today. See how they can help.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mood_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_episode
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypomania
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_episodes