Emotional disorders, whether it is depression, bipolar disorder, or some variation in both, are more common in adolescents than we usually think. From a diagnostic point of view, the problem is that adolescents are inconsistent, moody, and often test-restricted. It is the essence of the beast.

So how do you say the difference? If your daughter or son shows signs of depression, lying too much on the bed, or on the other side, with energy, insomnia and avid flights, you may start to think that this is not just a teenage mood. Emotional disorders tend to run in the home, so check your own past history and your spouse. If your child is adopted, do parents have these problems?

What defines emotional disorders, in fact any obstacles, not just what they experience, but how it affects their function. If a person walks around and feels depressed rather than committing suicide, he is very good at school. There are good friends. Boyfriends with girlfriends generally enjoy life. This may be just the anxiety of teenagers. On the other hand, if she tells you that she feels good, but she has trouble getting up in the morning, her friends are no longer calling, she has lost interest in the past. Bringing happiness to her, this may be a real depression.

Treatment for depression and mood disorders is very effective, but you must let your child see it. I generally advise parents to tell their children that they will be evaluated – they are not obliged to continue to see me or receive treatment. This preface usually relieves them of the burden and makes them feel less traps, and paradoxically, let them open.

Once a depression, bipolar disorder or less severe cousin occurs, a diagnosis of mental and psychological disorders is made, including supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and prescription drugs. People often delay the concept of using drugs among adolescents, but many psychiatrists [including myself] will tell them that drug treatment is very effective – sometimes the most effective of all treatments. When it works, it is a godsend. We treat children so that they can overcome the obstacles that affect them so that they will be good in the future. Treatment not only cares about alleviating unpleasant emotions, but also cares about understanding and dealing with problems that may first trigger it – break up, divorce, action, death, etc. Emotional disorders are real, and like everything else in life, they are best handled in a straightforward manner. Avoid making them worse and honestly assessing and treating often saves a day.

Adolescent mood disorder was originally published on Spring