We all feel sad, down, or irritable from time to time and that’s perfectly normal. These changes in our moods are our way to deal with the normal ups and downs of life. However, some people experience changes in their moods that become so extreme and severe that it affects their everyday emotional state and functioning. When this is the case, we say they suffer from a mental health condition called a mood disorder, also sometimes called affective disorders.
People diagnosed with a mood disorder experience extended periods of time when they feel extremely sad, empty or irritable (depressed), or excessively happy (mania), or alternate between both. Those symptoms are usually present for several weeks or longer and are known to affect one’s ability to deal with daily activities such as work or school.
You, like everyone else, go through times when you feel sad, down, or irritable. That is very normal. However, do you, or someone you know, sometimes have moods that are a little extreme and overwhelming? Are you wondering if you may have a mood disorder? Quite a few adolescents are diagnosed with them, actually. In the U.S., an estimated 14.3% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 have had a mood disorder, and 11.2% of those had severe symptoms that interfered with their daily life.
Now, you may be wondering how to distinguish between a normal “bad mood” and a possible mood disorder. Well, you should know that preteens and teens may show different symptoms than adults when it comes to mood disorders.
Warning Signs of Mood Disorders
Ongoing feelings of deep sadness
Feelings of despair, helplessness, worthlessness, and guilt
Feelings of wanting to die, suicidal thoughts
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Trouble with relationships, feeling isolated
Sleep disturbances
Changes in appetite or weight
Very low energy, fatigue, crying, anxiety
Problems focusing or making decisions
Running away from home or threatening to do so
Being hypersensitive to failure and rejection
Being overly grouchy, hostile, or angry
The above symptoms are an indication that someone may be dealing with a mood disorder but they don’t indicate which one. It’s important for a trained mental health professional to conduct an evaluation in order to identify if indeed one is suffering from a mood disorder.
Types of Mood Disorders
Here is a list of the most common types of mood disorders. Symptoms will vary from one young person to the next, can range from mild to severe, and can only be diagnosed by a trained professional.
Major Depressive Disorder – Preteens and teens with this disorder have chronic feelings of sadness or worthlessness, irritability, physical lethargy, and possibly suicidal thoughts that last for at least 2 weeks.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – Preteens and teens with dysthymia have long-lasting, low grade, depressed, or irritable moods for at least 1 year.
Bipolar Disorder – Preteens and teens with bipolar disorder have bouts of major depression and periods of mania (e.g. euphoria, poor judgment, extreme risk-taking activities or times of flat or dulled emotional response), in a frequently debilitating cycle.
Mood disorder related to another health problem – Certain medical conditions such as cancer, infections, or chronic illnesses can trigger depression symptoms in preteens and teens.
Substance-induced mood disorder – In this case, depression symptoms are caused by the effects of medicine, drug use, alcohol, or exposure to toxins.
Supporting Yourself
Maybe you recognize yourself in some of the descriptions of symptoms you just read. If that is the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a mood disorder. What it means is that you should see a trained mental health professional who will be able to identify if you do. Mood disorders do not go away on their own. If left unaddressed and untreated, without an adequate combination of medication and psychotherapy, they might get worse over time thus creating more unnecessary pain and suffering. With the right treatment, however, your mood can stabilize, and over time, you can return to a healthy level of functioning so you can fully enjoy life again.
The first thing you need to do is talk to a trusted adult. It can be a parent, a family member, a medical provider, or a school counselor/psychologist. They will take good care of you and will direct you towards the right professionals who will help you and support you in a caring manner.
Reach out to those you feel will support you best. This can be a caregiver, school counselor, peer, your place of worship, or a community support group. There are people who can relate to how you are feeling and can support you. You are not alone.
#2 – Create a toolkit of things that are uplifting for you.
Being surrounded with people and activities you enjoy is an effective way to feel supported, secure, and less upset or anxious about things. Making an effort to stay active and involved in the things that give you joy, no matter how simple they are, will be uplifting and something that you can look forward to. Talking to someone who listens will make you feel understood and more capable of coping.
#3 – Create a positive mindset by managing negative emotions.
Choosing to adopt a positive attitude is a great way to keep your mind off the things that may upset or worry you. Your brain cannot both worry and think positively at the same time. It’s just not wired for it.
#4 – Focus on self-care.
Your body and mind have the capacity to feel peaceful and to develop coping strategies. For this to happen they need 3 simple things: enough sleep/rest, healthy eating habits, and plenty of exercise.
#5 – Reduce your stress.
Do this by setting priorities, don’t procrastinate, simplify your expectations, and always ask for help when you are overwhelmed.
#6 – Set a routine
Having a routine (e.g., laying out your clothes the night before, following meal schedules, dimming the lights, and turning off electronics before bed, etc.) can make us feel grounded and prepared.
#7 – Journal
Writing about your feelings and thoughts may help you reflect on your concerns and explore healthy options. It can also be calming to write your objectives, reminders, and to-do’s down so that they don’t linger in your mind.
#8 – Avoid substances
Avoid substances that can exacerbate your symptoms like drugs and alcohol.
#9 – Boost your self-confidence
Doing things (like exercise, good nutrition, helping others, participating in something you are good at) can boost your self-image and self-esteem. Do things that make you feel good about yourself.
#10 – Seek a therapist
Seek a therapist that you can trust and confide in. The first thing you should do is reach out to a trusted adult, whether it be a parent, caregiver, a family member, a teacher, or a school counselor. Confide in them and tell them how you feel and that you need their help. They will listen to you and know what to do to get you the support you need, possibly with a professional whose job it is to support preteens and teenagers who go through difficult times as you are. There are also several other resources you can use to reach out for help and where you will find immediate support.
Be an Ally: What should I do if a friend is struggling with a mood disorder?
What do you do if someone close to you suffers from a mood disorder, and you want to be there for them and show them your support? Your presence, patience, love, and understanding can play an important role in that person’s treatment and recovery. Knowing they can talk to someone who is caring and who they trust can make a world of difference for them. Here’s a list of the things you can do to support your loved one:
Learn about the mood disorder your loved one suffers from – the more you know about the disorder, the symptoms, and the treatment options, the easier it’ll be for you to understand what your loved one is going through and how to help them cope with it.
Encourage your loved one to get help – the sooner they get the appropriate treatment for their mood disorder, the better chance they have to return to a more normal and fulfilling life. Remember that mood disorders don’t get better on their own.
Be patient – One of the best ways to help your loved one is to show patience. Recovery from a mood disorder takes time and you should be prepared for setbacks and challenges.
Be aware of and accept your own limits – remember that you cannot cure your loved one’s mood disorder. It’s not your role. All you can do is offer compassionate support, which is huge because research shows that people with mood disorders who receive caring support tend to have milder symptoms and recover more quickly.
Resources
You can turn to people who will help you if you need immediate support, especially if you feel the urge to hurt yourself. The following free resources are available to you and will bring you the immediate and compassionate support you may need:
National Alliance on Mental Health:1 (800) 950-6264
The compassionate staff at NAMI are trained to help you manage a mental health crisis and understand the struggles people with mood disorders face.
Crisis Text Line:Text “CONNECT” to 741741
This helpline provides support through text messages during crisis situations OR if you just want to talk because you are feeling angry, frustrated, scared, or hurt because of a bipolar episode.
Covenant House Teen Hotline:1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336)
1-310-855-HOPE (4673) or text “TEEN” to 839863
Boys Town National Hotline:1-800-448-3000
This hotline is for all teenagers struggling with any kind of crisis. It’s available 24/7.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline:1-800-662-4357
This helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance disorders.
ADAA Directory: This website allows teens and family members to search support groups in their local area, as well as phone or online groups. https://adaa.org/supportgroups
