Overview Of Manic Depression In Children And Teens
Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. Manic depression in children and teens is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more.
Depression can occur in people of all ages:
- Adults
- Teenagers
- Older adults
Symptoms of manic depression in children and teens include:
- Low mood or irritable mood most of the time
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slow or fast movements
- Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
- Lack of pleasure in activities you usually enjoy, including sex
- Remember that children may have different symptoms than adults. Watch for changes in schoolwork, sleep, and behavior. If you wonder whether your child might be depressed, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can help you learn how to help your child with depression.
The main types of depression include:
Major depression. It occurs when feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with daily life for weeks or longer periods of time.
Persistent depressive disorder. This is a depressed mood that lasts 2 years. Over that length of time, you may have periods of major depression, with times when your symptoms are milder.
Other common forms of manic depression in children and teens include:
- Postpartum depression. Many women feel somewhat down after having a baby. However, true postpartum depression is more severe and includes the symptoms of major depression.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Symptoms of depression occur 1 week before your period and disappear after you menstruate.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This occurs most often during fall and winter and disappears during spring and summer. It is most likely due to a lack of sunlight.
- Major depression with psychotic features. This occurs when a person has depression and loss of touch with reality (psychosis).
- Bipolar disorder occurs when depression alternates with mania (formerly called manic depression). Bipolar disorder has depression as one of its symptoms, but it is a different type of mental illness.
Commonly Associated With
Blues; Gloom; Sadness; Melancholy
Causes Of Manic Depression In Children And Teens
Depression often runs in families. This may be due to your genes, behaviors you learn at home, or your environment. Depression may be triggered by stressful or unhappy life events. Often, it is a combination of these things.
Many factors can bring on depression, including:
- Alcohol or drug use
- Medical conditions, such as cancer or long-term (chronic) pain
- Stressful life events, such as job loss, divorce, or death of a spouse or other family member
- Social isolation (a common cause of depression in older adults)
