The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include problems with using and understanding language; difficulty relating to people, objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Autism (a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, and a limited range of activities and interests) is the most characteristic and best studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett's Syndrome. Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common.
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with additional support.
What is the prognosis?
Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy.
What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities, including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure this and similar disorders.
NIH Patient Recruitment for Pervasive Developmental Disorders Clinical Trials
• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide
• NINDS Clinical Research Collaboration Trials
Organizations
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 800-695-0285 202-884-8200
Fax: 202-884-8441
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource Center
P.O. Box 3006
Rockville, MD 20847
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY)
Fax: 301-984-1473
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@aspergersyndrome.org
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Tel: 219-662-1311 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 219-662-1311 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 219-662-1315
Sunday, February 6, 2011
What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include problems with using and understanding language; difficulty relating to people, objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Autism (a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, and a limited range of activities and interests) is the most characteristic and best studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett's Syndrome. Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common.
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with additional support.
What is the prognosis?
Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy.
What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities, including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure this and similar disorders.
NIH Patient Recruitment for Pervasive Developmental Disorders Clinical Trials
• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide
• NINDS Clinical Research Collaboration Trials
Organizations
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 800-695-0285 202-884-8200
Fax: 202-884-8441
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource Center
P.O. Box 3006
Rockville, MD 20847
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY)
Fax: 301-984-1473
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@aspergersyndrome.org
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Tel: 219-662-1311 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 219-662-1311 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 219-662-1315
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with additional support.
What is the prognosis?
Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy.
What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities, including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure this and similar disorders.
NIH Patient Recruitment for Pervasive Developmental Disorders Clinical Trials
• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide
• NINDS Clinical Research Collaboration Trials
Organizations
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 800-695-0285 202-884-8200
Fax: 202-884-8441
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource Center
P.O. Box 3006
Rockville, MD 20847
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY)
Fax: 301-984-1473
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@aspergersyndrome.org
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Tel: 219-662-1311 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 219-662-1311 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 219-662-1315
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Major Depression
By Johns Hopkins Health InformationLast reviewed:December 2009.
Major Depression
* What is it?
* Symptoms
* What the doctor looks for
* What you can do
* Treatment
* When to seek treatment
* Prognosis
What is it?
There is a tendency today to use the word "depression" to describe the inevitable periods of sadness that each of us experiences from time to time. Indeed, for many during these periods, it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet anyone who has ever experienced a major depression knows-at least after the depression has lifted-that what they feel is more than just persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are strikingly different from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biological, social and psychological factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person exquisitely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him into total black despair.
During a major depression, a person becomes enveloped by feelings of sadness, emptiness and worthlessness. Like an impenetrable curtain descending, these feelings distort every thought and experience, rendering life meaningless and hopeless. Feelings of being deeply, continually deprived, insignificant, inadequate and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a depressed person may feel chronically irritated, occasionally erupting in frustration and anger.
Although a major depression may be triggered by some life circumstance or event, the mood reaction seems greatly exaggerated. In all likelihood, depression has less to do with events that occur than with an individual's inherent vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, a person may experience only a single episode of major depression during their lifetime. However, in most instances, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. An untreated major depressive episode typically lasts about a year, but can last longer. About 10% of persons with the disorder develop a chronic illness that can wax and wane for much longer periods of time, sometimes even for decades.
Milder depressive states that are more long-lasting (at least two years or more) characterize what is called dysthymic disorder. For these individuals, certain life circumstances such as the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or going away to college might provoke a deeper depression and causes the more severe symptoms of major depression develop.
It has been suggested that this division of clinical depressions into major depressive disorder and dysthymia is not a clinically meaningful distinction and that a more useful way of classifying depressive illnesses is according to whether the symptoms tend to be episodic and recurring, or chronic.
For some people, there is a seasonal aspect to their depression. Typically affecting people in the fall or winter, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate craving, overeating and oversleeping. SAD is a form of depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where the climatic extremes are greater. The exact cause of the disorder is not certain, but it may be related how the light-responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Symptoms
* An acute and persistent sense of despair, sadness and hopelessness that seems to have little correlation to life circumstances
* A lack of interest or pleasure in most activities
* Feelings of sluggishness, fatigue, lethargy or agitation
* Feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy and hopelessness
* Preoccupation with thoughts of suicide or death
* A change in appetite and/or weight
* Difficulties in sleeping or a tendency to oversleep
* Diminished ability to concentrate and make decisions
* Significant changes in working and social patterns
* Social withdrawal
What the doctor looks for
A sustained and pervasive change in mood. Loss of interest in normal pleasures of life: food, sex, friends, work, family, sports, hobbies; a family or personal history of depression or suicide attempts; a change in the way one feels about oneself; a pattern of negative, pessimistic, self-blaming or self-critical thinking; suicidal thoughts and behavior.
What you can do
During the time that you feel despondent, seek the emotional support of family and friends. For milder depressions of short duration, the support of loved ones may help you through. But in most cases you will not be able to fight depression on your own, and you should not try to. Like asthma or hypertension, depression is an illness and requires medical attention so that it can be managed effectively. If you are suffering from a depression, it is important that you seek professional help.
Treatment
Many cases of milder depression can be treated effectively through psychotherapy. Even short-term therapy can help you identify and correct negative thoughts and difficulties in communicating with and relating to others that may contribute to depression. When depression is triggered by seasonal change, light therapy, which extends exposure to bright light for measured periods of time, may work to relieve symptoms.
In cases of more severe depression, medication will be the main method of treatment. At the same time, psychotherapy is usually an important complement to medication. By restoring normal functioning in certain areas deep in the brain, psychotropic medication will lift the veil of sorrow. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Other antidepressant medications include the tricyclic antidepressants imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine hydrochloride (Norpramin), venlafaxine (Effexor), trazodone (Desyrel), nefazodone (Serzone) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). Despite the fact that general practitioners can prescribe these medications, in severe cases it is probably wisest to consult a psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist who is specially trained to evaluate and monitor the need for and use of antidepressant medication. A variety of medications, including drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, are often needed in complex cases.
For many reasons, antidepressants often take a few weeks to start working. Also, because every person as well as his depression differs, finding the most effective drug may require a trial of more than one medication. You and your doctor will eventually find the right treatment; an adequate trial of an antidepressant takes four to five weeks.
During a severe episode, there may be severe paranoid, persecutory delusions or even hallucinations. There may be suicidal thoughts. When these occur, hospitalization, antipsychotic medication, electroconvulsive therapy or any combination of these treatments may be necessary. After the acute phase has subsided, psychopharmacological treatment should be continued to decrease the likelihood of relapse or future recurrence.
Psychotropic medications play a critical role in the treatment of major depression. They work to relieve acute episodes and prevent recurrences. For many, drugs work most effectively in conjunction with psychotherapy. Insight-oriented therapy can help you consider how such contributing factors as early experiences of loss and cumulative negative life circumstances and disappointments have colored your outlook. Cognitive techniques can also provide significant relief insofar as they address the negative and distorted thinking that typically characterizes depression. Interpersonal therapy helps the person address problems in relationships.
A variety of electrical stimulation techniques are available to treat depression. The one that has been in longest use is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT or shock treatments.) Although extremely effective for most patients, ECT requires that general anesthesia be administered, and so is usually reserved for emergency situations and in patients who have not responded to medications.
A more recent technique involves using a powerful magnetic field to stimulate deep brain structures. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) does not require any anesthesia and has now been approved in treatment-resistant depression. Another new technique called vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) uses a pacemaker-like device to deliver short pulses of tiny electrical charges to the brain. The implanted stimulator is connected to the vagus nerve as it travels beneath the neck muscles and sends the electrical pulses up the nerve to its origin deep within the brain.
When to seek treatment
If you are in the throes of depression, you may well believe that you are beyond help. Yet depression can be effectively treated and managed.
If your state of gloom persists for more two weeks, you find that you can't get out of bed, you are increasingly isolated from family and friends and you have lost any sense of enjoyment or interest in your usual activities, call your physician. If you find yourself ruminating about death and the meaningless of life, and you are considering suicide, seek help immediately.
Prognosis
Good. Recent progress in the development of new drugs that have fewer side effects and are effective for more people makes the treatment of depression even more promising. SAD responds well to light therapy.
In some instances, one course of treatment is sufficient to manage or remedy major depressive illness. However, for many others, depression is a recurring condition that requires continued or episodic intervention. Even after a successful round of treatment, it is important that you remain sensitive to stresses that are likely to trigger a depression. If you are able to recognize early signs, you will be able to contact your clinician before you find yourself deep in another depressive episode. Learning to manage depression through therapy, medication and lifestyle will lessen the impact that it has on your life.
Additional information
For additional information about panic disorder, you can contact:
American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 825
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 907-7300
www.psych.org
National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH Public Inquiries
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm
Updated: 10/20/2009
c 1996-2003, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved. All information presented here is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this information is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions of this Website. Johns Hopkins subscribes to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation. "Johns Hopkins" and "HopkinsHealth" are trademarks of The Johns Hopkins University and Health System.
The information about educational or therapeutic approaches is provided for educational purposes only. Certain treatments may or may not be covered through your benefit plan. Coverage typically depends on your plan specifications and relevant guidelines maintained
Major Depression
* What is it?
* Symptoms
* What the doctor looks for
* What you can do
* Treatment
* When to seek treatment
* Prognosis
What is it?
There is a tendency today to use the word "depression" to describe the inevitable periods of sadness that each of us experiences from time to time. Indeed, for many during these periods, it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet anyone who has ever experienced a major depression knows-at least after the depression has lifted-that what they feel is more than just persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are strikingly different from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biological, social and psychological factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person exquisitely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him into total black despair.
During a major depression, a person becomes enveloped by feelings of sadness, emptiness and worthlessness. Like an impenetrable curtain descending, these feelings distort every thought and experience, rendering life meaningless and hopeless. Feelings of being deeply, continually deprived, insignificant, inadequate and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a depressed person may feel chronically irritated, occasionally erupting in frustration and anger.
Although a major depression may be triggered by some life circumstance or event, the mood reaction seems greatly exaggerated. In all likelihood, depression has less to do with events that occur than with an individual's inherent vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, a person may experience only a single episode of major depression during their lifetime. However, in most instances, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. An untreated major depressive episode typically lasts about a year, but can last longer. About 10% of persons with the disorder develop a chronic illness that can wax and wane for much longer periods of time, sometimes even for decades.
Milder depressive states that are more long-lasting (at least two years or more) characterize what is called dysthymic disorder. For these individuals, certain life circumstances such as the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or going away to college might provoke a deeper depression and causes the more severe symptoms of major depression develop.
It has been suggested that this division of clinical depressions into major depressive disorder and dysthymia is not a clinically meaningful distinction and that a more useful way of classifying depressive illnesses is according to whether the symptoms tend to be episodic and recurring, or chronic.
For some people, there is a seasonal aspect to their depression. Typically affecting people in the fall or winter, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate craving, overeating and oversleeping. SAD is a form of depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where the climatic extremes are greater. The exact cause of the disorder is not certain, but it may be related how the light-responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Symptoms
* An acute and persistent sense of despair, sadness and hopelessness that seems to have little correlation to life circumstances
* A lack of interest or pleasure in most activities
* Feelings of sluggishness, fatigue, lethargy or agitation
* Feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy and hopelessness
* Preoccupation with thoughts of suicide or death
* A change in appetite and/or weight
* Difficulties in sleeping or a tendency to oversleep
* Diminished ability to concentrate and make decisions
* Significant changes in working and social patterns
* Social withdrawal
What the doctor looks for
A sustained and pervasive change in mood. Loss of interest in normal pleasures of life: food, sex, friends, work, family, sports, hobbies; a family or personal history of depression or suicide attempts; a change in the way one feels about oneself; a pattern of negative, pessimistic, self-blaming or self-critical thinking; suicidal thoughts and behavior.
What you can do
During the time that you feel despondent, seek the emotional support of family and friends. For milder depressions of short duration, the support of loved ones may help you through. But in most cases you will not be able to fight depression on your own, and you should not try to. Like asthma or hypertension, depression is an illness and requires medical attention so that it can be managed effectively. If you are suffering from a depression, it is important that you seek professional help.
Treatment
Many cases of milder depression can be treated effectively through psychotherapy. Even short-term therapy can help you identify and correct negative thoughts and difficulties in communicating with and relating to others that may contribute to depression. When depression is triggered by seasonal change, light therapy, which extends exposure to bright light for measured periods of time, may work to relieve symptoms.
In cases of more severe depression, medication will be the main method of treatment. At the same time, psychotherapy is usually an important complement to medication. By restoring normal functioning in certain areas deep in the brain, psychotropic medication will lift the veil of sorrow. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Other antidepressant medications include the tricyclic antidepressants imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine hydrochloride (Norpramin), venlafaxine (Effexor), trazodone (Desyrel), nefazodone (Serzone) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). Despite the fact that general practitioners can prescribe these medications, in severe cases it is probably wisest to consult a psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist who is specially trained to evaluate and monitor the need for and use of antidepressant medication. A variety of medications, including drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, are often needed in complex cases.
For many reasons, antidepressants often take a few weeks to start working. Also, because every person as well as his depression differs, finding the most effective drug may require a trial of more than one medication. You and your doctor will eventually find the right treatment; an adequate trial of an antidepressant takes four to five weeks.
During a severe episode, there may be severe paranoid, persecutory delusions or even hallucinations. There may be suicidal thoughts. When these occur, hospitalization, antipsychotic medication, electroconvulsive therapy or any combination of these treatments may be necessary. After the acute phase has subsided, psychopharmacological treatment should be continued to decrease the likelihood of relapse or future recurrence.
Psychotropic medications play a critical role in the treatment of major depression. They work to relieve acute episodes and prevent recurrences. For many, drugs work most effectively in conjunction with psychotherapy. Insight-oriented therapy can help you consider how such contributing factors as early experiences of loss and cumulative negative life circumstances and disappointments have colored your outlook. Cognitive techniques can also provide significant relief insofar as they address the negative and distorted thinking that typically characterizes depression. Interpersonal therapy helps the person address problems in relationships.
A variety of electrical stimulation techniques are available to treat depression. The one that has been in longest use is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT or shock treatments.) Although extremely effective for most patients, ECT requires that general anesthesia be administered, and so is usually reserved for emergency situations and in patients who have not responded to medications.
A more recent technique involves using a powerful magnetic field to stimulate deep brain structures. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) does not require any anesthesia and has now been approved in treatment-resistant depression. Another new technique called vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) uses a pacemaker-like device to deliver short pulses of tiny electrical charges to the brain. The implanted stimulator is connected to the vagus nerve as it travels beneath the neck muscles and sends the electrical pulses up the nerve to its origin deep within the brain.
When to seek treatment
If you are in the throes of depression, you may well believe that you are beyond help. Yet depression can be effectively treated and managed.
If your state of gloom persists for more two weeks, you find that you can't get out of bed, you are increasingly isolated from family and friends and you have lost any sense of enjoyment or interest in your usual activities, call your physician. If you find yourself ruminating about death and the meaningless of life, and you are considering suicide, seek help immediately.
Prognosis
Good. Recent progress in the development of new drugs that have fewer side effects and are effective for more people makes the treatment of depression even more promising. SAD responds well to light therapy.
In some instances, one course of treatment is sufficient to manage or remedy major depressive illness. However, for many others, depression is a recurring condition that requires continued or episodic intervention. Even after a successful round of treatment, it is important that you remain sensitive to stresses that are likely to trigger a depression. If you are able to recognize early signs, you will be able to contact your clinician before you find yourself deep in another depressive episode. Learning to manage depression through therapy, medication and lifestyle will lessen the impact that it has on your life.
Additional information
For additional information about panic disorder, you can contact:
American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 825
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 907-7300
www.psych.org
National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH Public Inquiries
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm
Updated: 10/20/2009
c 1996-2003, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved. All information presented here is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this information is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions of this Website. Johns Hopkins subscribes to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation. "Johns Hopkins" and "HopkinsHealth" are trademarks of The Johns Hopkins University and Health System.
The information about educational or therapeutic approaches is provided for educational purposes only. Certain treatments may or may not be covered through your benefit plan. Coverage typically depends on your plan specifications and relevant guidelines maintained
Depression in Children and Teens
Topic Overview
Is this topic for you?
This topic covers depression in children and teens. For information about depression in adults, see the topic Depression. For information about depression with episodes of high energy (mania), see the topic Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens.
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from a child’s life. It is normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. You can expect these feelings after the death of a pet or a move to a new city. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
Experts used to think that only adults could get depression. Now we know that even a young child can have depression that needs treatment to improve. As many as 3 in 100 young children and 9 in 100 teens have serious depression.12
Still, many children don't get the treatment they need. This is partly because it can be hard to tell the difference between depression and normal moodiness. Also, depression may not look the same in a child as in an adult.
If you are worried about your child, learn more about the symptoms in children. Talk to your child to see how he or she is feeling. If you think your child is depressed, talk to your doctor or a counselor. The sooner a child gets treatment, the sooner he or she will start to feel better.
What are the symptoms?
A child may be depressed if he or she:
* Is grumpy, sad, or bored most of the time.
* Does not take pleasure in things he or she used to enjoy.
A child who is depressed may also:
* Lose or gain weight.
* Sleep too much or too little.
* Feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
* Have trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.
* Think about death or suicide a lot.
The symptoms of depression are often overlooked at first. It can be hard to see that symptoms are all part of the same problem.
Also, the symptoms may be different depending on how old the child is.
* Very young children may lack energy and become withdrawn. They may show little emotion, seem to feel hopeless, and have trouble sleeping.
* Grade-school children may have a lot of headaches or stomachaches. They may lose interest in friends and activities that they once liked. Some children with severe depression may see or hear things that aren't there (hallucinate) or have false beliefs (delusions).
* Teens may sleep a lot or move or speak more slowly than usual. Teens with severe depression may hallucinate or have delusions.
Depression can range from mild to severe. A child who feels a little “down” most of the time for a year or more may have a mild, ongoing form of depression called dysthymia (say “dis-THY-mee-uh”). In its most severe form, depression can cause a child to lose hope and want to die.
Whether depression is mild or severe, there are treatments that can help.
What causes depression?
Just what causes depression is not well understood. But it is linked to an imbalance of brain chemicals that affect mood. Things that may cause these chemicals to get out of balance include:
* Stressful events, such as changing schools, going through a divorce, or having a death in the family.
* Some medicines, such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief.
* Family history. In some children, depression seems to be inherited.
How is depression diagnosed?
To diagnose depression, a doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about the child's past health. You may be asked to fill out a form about your child’s symptoms. The doctor may ask your child questions to learn more about how the child thinks, acts, and feels.
Some diseases can cause symptoms that look like depression. So the child may have tests to help rule out physical problems, such as a low thyroid level or anemia.
It is common for children with depression to have other problems too, such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder. The doctor may ask questions about these problems to help your child get the right diagnosis and treatment.
How is it treated?
Usually one of the first steps in treating depression is education for the child and his or her family. Teaching both the child and the family about depression can be a big help. It makes them less likely to blame themselves for the problem. Sometimes it can help other family members see that they are also depressed.
Counseling may help the child feel better. The type of counseling will depend on the age of the child. For young children, play therapy may be best. Older children and teens may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of counseling can help them change negative thoughts that make them feel bad.
Medicine may be an option if the child is very depressed. Combining antidepressant medicine with counseling often works best. A child with severe depression may need to be treated in the hospital.
There are some things you can do at home to help your child start to feel better.
* Urge your child to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
* See that your child takes any medicine as prescribed and goes to all follow-up appointments.
* Make time to talk and listen to your child. Ask how he or she is feeling. Express your love and support.
* Remind your child that things will get better in time.
What should you know about antidepressant medicines?
Antidepressant medicines often work well for children who are depressed, but there are some important things you should know about them.
* Children who take antidepressants should be watched closely. These medicines may increase the risk that a child will think about or try suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child takes an antidepressant, learn the warning signs of suicide, and get help right away if you see any of them. Common warning signs include:
o Talking, drawing, or writing about death.
o Giving away belongings.
o Withdrawing from family and friends.
o Having a way to do it, such as a gun or pills.
* Your child may start to feel better after 1 to 3 weeks of taking antidepressant medicine. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. Make sure your child takes antidepressants as prescribed and keeps taking them so they have time to work.
* A child may need to try several different antidepressants to find one that works. If you notice any warning signs or have concerns about the medicine, or if you do not notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your child's doctor.
* Do not let a child suddenly stop taking antidepressants. This could be dangerous. Your doctor can help you taper off the dose slowly to prevent problems.
Is this topic for you?
This topic covers depression in children and teens. For information about depression in adults, see the topic Depression. For information about depression with episodes of high energy (mania), see the topic Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens.
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from a child’s life. It is normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. You can expect these feelings after the death of a pet or a move to a new city. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
Experts used to think that only adults could get depression. Now we know that even a young child can have depression that needs treatment to improve. As many as 3 in 100 young children and 9 in 100 teens have serious depression.12
Still, many children don't get the treatment they need. This is partly because it can be hard to tell the difference between depression and normal moodiness. Also, depression may not look the same in a child as in an adult.
If you are worried about your child, learn more about the symptoms in children. Talk to your child to see how he or she is feeling. If you think your child is depressed, talk to your doctor or a counselor. The sooner a child gets treatment, the sooner he or she will start to feel better.
What are the symptoms?
A child may be depressed if he or she:
* Is grumpy, sad, or bored most of the time.
* Does not take pleasure in things he or she used to enjoy.
A child who is depressed may also:
* Lose or gain weight.
* Sleep too much or too little.
* Feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
* Have trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.
* Think about death or suicide a lot.
The symptoms of depression are often overlooked at first. It can be hard to see that symptoms are all part of the same problem.
Also, the symptoms may be different depending on how old the child is.
* Very young children may lack energy and become withdrawn. They may show little emotion, seem to feel hopeless, and have trouble sleeping.
* Grade-school children may have a lot of headaches or stomachaches. They may lose interest in friends and activities that they once liked. Some children with severe depression may see or hear things that aren't there (hallucinate) or have false beliefs (delusions).
* Teens may sleep a lot or move or speak more slowly than usual. Teens with severe depression may hallucinate or have delusions.
Depression can range from mild to severe. A child who feels a little “down” most of the time for a year or more may have a mild, ongoing form of depression called dysthymia (say “dis-THY-mee-uh”). In its most severe form, depression can cause a child to lose hope and want to die.
Whether depression is mild or severe, there are treatments that can help.
What causes depression?
Just what causes depression is not well understood. But it is linked to an imbalance of brain chemicals that affect mood. Things that may cause these chemicals to get out of balance include:
* Stressful events, such as changing schools, going through a divorce, or having a death in the family.
* Some medicines, such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief.
* Family history. In some children, depression seems to be inherited.
How is depression diagnosed?
To diagnose depression, a doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about the child's past health. You may be asked to fill out a form about your child’s symptoms. The doctor may ask your child questions to learn more about how the child thinks, acts, and feels.
Some diseases can cause symptoms that look like depression. So the child may have tests to help rule out physical problems, such as a low thyroid level or anemia.
It is common for children with depression to have other problems too, such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder. The doctor may ask questions about these problems to help your child get the right diagnosis and treatment.
How is it treated?
Usually one of the first steps in treating depression is education for the child and his or her family. Teaching both the child and the family about depression can be a big help. It makes them less likely to blame themselves for the problem. Sometimes it can help other family members see that they are also depressed.
Counseling may help the child feel better. The type of counseling will depend on the age of the child. For young children, play therapy may be best. Older children and teens may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of counseling can help them change negative thoughts that make them feel bad.
Medicine may be an option if the child is very depressed. Combining antidepressant medicine with counseling often works best. A child with severe depression may need to be treated in the hospital.
There are some things you can do at home to help your child start to feel better.
* Urge your child to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
* See that your child takes any medicine as prescribed and goes to all follow-up appointments.
* Make time to talk and listen to your child. Ask how he or she is feeling. Express your love and support.
* Remind your child that things will get better in time.
What should you know about antidepressant medicines?
Antidepressant medicines often work well for children who are depressed, but there are some important things you should know about them.
* Children who take antidepressants should be watched closely. These medicines may increase the risk that a child will think about or try suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child takes an antidepressant, learn the warning signs of suicide, and get help right away if you see any of them. Common warning signs include:
o Talking, drawing, or writing about death.
o Giving away belongings.
o Withdrawing from family and friends.
o Having a way to do it, such as a gun or pills.
* Your child may start to feel better after 1 to 3 weeks of taking antidepressant medicine. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. Make sure your child takes antidepressants as prescribed and keeps taking them so they have time to work.
* A child may need to try several different antidepressants to find one that works. If you notice any warning signs or have concerns about the medicine, or if you do not notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your child's doctor.
* Do not let a child suddenly stop taking antidepressants. This could be dangerous. Your doctor can help you taper off the dose slowly to prevent problems.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Topic Overview
What is child abuse and neglect?
Child abuse and neglect includes any act that harms a child. Some people use the term “child maltreatment” to include both abuse and neglect.
Children who are maltreated may suffer in many ways. Young children are at special risk. They may not grow properly, or they may have learning problems. They may feel bad about themselves and not trust other people. They may be scared or angry. Sometimes they die.
Children are not able to understand that abuse or neglect is not their fault. They may think that they did something wrong and deserve what happened. It is up to adults who care to protect them. If you know about or suspect child abuse or neglect, there are ways you can help.
What are the types of abuse and neglect?
Child abuse means doing something that hurts a child. This may be physical, emotional, or sexual. Neglect means not giving or doing something that a child needs.
* Physical abuse is often the easiest type to notice. It includes hitting, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning. It may leave bruises, cuts, or other marks and cause pain, broken bones, or internal injuries.
* Emotional abuse is saying or doing things that make a child feel unloved, unwanted, unsafe, or worthless. It can range from yelling and threatening to ignoring the child and not giving love and support. It may not leave scars you can see, but the damage to a child is just as real.
* Sexual abuse is any sexual contact between an adult and a child or between an older child and a younger child. Showing pornography to a child is a type of sexual abuse.
* Neglect happens when a child does not get the shelter, schooling, clothing, medical care, or protection he or she needs. Child neglect is just as serious as abuse and is even more common.
What should you do if you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected?
Call the police or local child protective services. You do not have to give your name. A hospital may be able to connect you to places in your area that can help. Many hospitals have special programs to deal with child abuse and neglect.
If a child is in immediate danger or has been badly hurt, don't wait. Call 911 or other emergency services right away.
If you are a child or teen who is being abused, don't keep the secret. Tell someone who can make a difference—a trusted family member, teacher, counselor, or doctor. You do not deserve to be abused.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer information, advice, and support. Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-4-A-CHILD end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1-800-422-4453 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-422-4453 end_of_the_skype_highlighting).
What should you do if you are afraid someone might harm your child?
If you think your child is in immediate danger, call 911 and get your child to a safe place and stay there. This may be the home of a close friend or family member or a domestic violence shelter. To find help in your area, call a trusted health professional, a child abuse organization, or the police.
If you are worried about the way someone acts around your child, find a quiet time to talk with the person alone. Help the person learn about child development issues. If it is your partner, you could take a parenting class together. Plan what you will do next if your concerns become more serious. Then follow through with your plan.
How can you prevent child abuse and neglect?
To protect your child from abuse:
* Listen to your child. Let him or her know it is safe to talk about anything with you.
* Get to know your child’s friends and their families.
* Screen all caregivers, such as babysitters and daycare centers. Find out what they know about child health, child development, and child care. This may include getting permission for a police background check.
* Teach your child the proper names for the private parts of his or her body. Teach the difference between “good touch” and “bad touch.”
* Ask a family member or friend to give you a break when you feel overwhelmed. Learn healthy ways to manage stress. Look online for sources of information and support, such as Parents Anonymous (www.parentsanonymous.org).
* Get help if you have ever been a victim of abuse. A good place to start is the Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD 1-800-4-A-CHILD
* (1-800-422-4453)
*
* To help children in your area:
* Learn to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect. For example, a child may not grow as expected, may be dirty or unhealthy, or may seem fearful, anxious, or depressed.
* Know the names of your neighbors and their children. Offer to help a new parent. Child abuse becomes less likely if parents and caregivers feel supported.
* Be an advocate for children. Support groups that help parents at risk of abusing their children. Donate time, money, or goods to a local domestic violence shelter.
* If you see abuse or neglect happening, speak up. A child’s life may depend on it.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Child abuse and neglect includes any act that harms a child. Some people use the term “child maltreatment” to include both abuse and neglect.
Children who are maltreated may suffer in many ways. Young children are at special risk. They may not grow properly, or they may have learning problems. They may feel bad about themselves and not trust other people. They may be scared or angry. Sometimes they die.
Children are not able to understand that abuse or neglect is not their fault. They may think that they did something wrong and deserve what happened. It is up to adults who care to protect them. If you know about or suspect child abuse or neglect, there are ways you can help.
What are the types of abuse and neglect?
Child abuse means doing something that hurts a child. This may be physical, emotional, or sexual. Neglect means not giving or doing something that a child needs.
* Physical abuse is often the easiest type to notice. It includes hitting, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning. It may leave bruises, cuts, or other marks and cause pain, broken bones, or internal injuries.
* Emotional abuse is saying or doing things that make a child feel unloved, unwanted, unsafe, or worthless. It can range from yelling and threatening to ignoring the child and not giving love and support. It may not leave scars you can see, but the damage to a child is just as real.
* Sexual abuse is any sexual contact between an adult and a child or between an older child and a younger child. Showing pornography to a child is a type of sexual abuse.
* Neglect happens when a child does not get the shelter, schooling, clothing, medical care, or protection he or she needs. Child neglect is just as serious as abuse and is even more common.
What should you do if you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected?
Call the police or local child protective services. You do not have to give your name. A hospital may be able to connect you to places in your area that can help. Many hospitals have special programs to deal with child abuse and neglect.
If a child is in immediate danger or has been badly hurt, don't wait. Call 911 or other emergency services right away.
If you are a child or teen who is being abused, don't keep the secret. Tell someone who can make a difference—a trusted family member, teacher, counselor, or doctor. You do not deserve to be abused.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer information, advice, and support. Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-4-A-CHILD end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1-800-422-4453 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-422-4453 end_of_the_skype_highlighting).
What should you do if you are afraid someone might harm your child?
If you think your child is in immediate danger, call 911 and get your child to a safe place and stay there. This may be the home of a close friend or family member or a domestic violence shelter. To find help in your area, call a trusted health professional, a child abuse organization, or the police.
If you are worried about the way someone acts around your child, find a quiet time to talk with the person alone. Help the person learn about child development issues. If it is your partner, you could take a parenting class together. Plan what you will do next if your concerns become more serious. Then follow through with your plan.
How can you prevent child abuse and neglect?
To protect your child from abuse:
* Listen to your child. Let him or her know it is safe to talk about anything with you.
* Get to know your child’s friends and their families.
* Screen all caregivers, such as babysitters and daycare centers. Find out what they know about child health, child development, and child care. This may include getting permission for a police background check.
* Teach your child the proper names for the private parts of his or her body. Teach the difference between “good touch” and “bad touch.”
* Ask a family member or friend to give you a break when you feel overwhelmed. Learn healthy ways to manage stress. Look online for sources of information and support, such as Parents Anonymous (www.parentsanonymous.org).
* Get help if you have ever been a victim of abuse. A good place to start is the Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD 1-800-4-A-CHILD
* (1-800-422-4453)
*
* To help children in your area:
* Learn to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect. For example, a child may not grow as expected, may be dirty or unhealthy, or may seem fearful, anxious, or depressed.
* Know the names of your neighbors and their children. Offer to help a new parent. Child abuse becomes less likely if parents and caregivers feel supported.
* Be an advocate for children. Support groups that help parents at risk of abusing their children. Donate time, money, or goods to a local domestic violence shelter.
* If you see abuse or neglect happening, speak up. A child’s life may depend on it.
Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
Topic Overview
What is bipolar disorder in children and teens?
When children older than age 6 or teens have bipolar disorder, they have mood swings with extreme ups and downs. When they are up, they have brief, intense outbursts or feel irritable or extremely happy (mania) several times almost every day. They have a lot of energy and a high activity level. When they are down, they feel depressed and sad.
In the past, experts thought bipolar disorder was the same in children and adults. But symptoms in children and teens are different from those in adults, and they need different treatment.
What causes bipolar disorder?
Experts don't fully understand what causes bipolar disorder.
It seems to run in families. Your child has a greater risk of having it if a close family member such as a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister has it. Parents may wonder what they did to cause their child to have bipolar disorder. But there is nothing a parent can do to cause or prevent it.
What are the symptoms?
Children and teens with bipolar disorder have mood swings with extreme ups (mania) and downs (depression). These intense moods quickly change from one extreme to another without a clear reason. Some children may briefly return to a normal mood between extremes. Many children change continuously between mania and depression, sometimes several times in the same day. Sometimes children with bipolar disorder have symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.
Times of mania or depression may be less obvious in children and teens than in adults.
* During a time of mania, children and teens may:
o Feel irritable and throw violent temper tantrums.
o Seem extremely happy and have high energy levels.
o Touch their genitals, use sexual language, and approach others in a sexual way.
o Not sleep much and go about the house late at night looking for things to do.
o Talk very fast.
* During a time of depression, children and teens may:
o Say they feel empty, sad, bored, or down.
o Complain of headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or fatigue.
o Often spend time alone and may easily feel rejected or criticized.
o Move very slowly.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed in children and teens?
This disorder can be hard to diagnose in children and teens. The symptoms can look a lot like the symptoms of other problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol and drug abuse problems, or conduct disorder. Bipolar disorder can often occur along with these problems.
If your doctor thinks your child or teen may have bipolar disorder, he or she may ask questions about your child’s feelings and behavior. Your doctor may also give you and your child written tests to find out how severe the mania or depression is. The doctor may do other tests (such as a blood test) to rule out other health problems. He or she may ask if your family has any history of mental illness or problems with drugs or alcohol. Any of these problems can be linked to bipolar disorder.
Why is early diagnosis of bipolar disorder important?
Children with this disorder are more likely to have other problems. These include alcohol and drug abuse, trouble in school, running away from home, fighting, and even suicide. Treating the disorder as early as possible may keep your child from having these problems.
Watch for the warning signs of suicide, which change with age. Warning signs of suicide in children and teens may include thinking too much about death or suicide. Watch also for things that can trigger a suicide attempt such as a recent breakup of a relationship or the loss of a parent or close family member through death or divorce.
How is it treated?
The mood changes that come with bipolar disorder can be a challenge. But with the right treatment, they can be managed well. Treatment usually includes both medicine (such as mood stabilizers) and counseling.
An important part of treatment is making sure your child takes his or her medicine. Children and teens with this disorder sometimes stop taking their medicines when they feel better. But without medicine their symptoms usually come back.
Medicines for bipolar disorder in adults have been well studied. But not much research has been completed about how the medicines work and if they are safe for children and teens.
Accepting that your child has bipolar disorder can be hard. The disorder can be a serious, lifelong problem. Your child will need long-term treatment and will need to be watched carefully. By working with your child's doctor, you can find a treatment that works for your child.
What is bipolar disorder in children and teens?
When children older than age 6 or teens have bipolar disorder, they have mood swings with extreme ups and downs. When they are up, they have brief, intense outbursts or feel irritable or extremely happy (mania) several times almost every day. They have a lot of energy and a high activity level. When they are down, they feel depressed and sad.
In the past, experts thought bipolar disorder was the same in children and adults. But symptoms in children and teens are different from those in adults, and they need different treatment.
What causes bipolar disorder?
Experts don't fully understand what causes bipolar disorder.
It seems to run in families. Your child has a greater risk of having it if a close family member such as a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister has it. Parents may wonder what they did to cause their child to have bipolar disorder. But there is nothing a parent can do to cause or prevent it.
What are the symptoms?
Children and teens with bipolar disorder have mood swings with extreme ups (mania) and downs (depression). These intense moods quickly change from one extreme to another without a clear reason. Some children may briefly return to a normal mood between extremes. Many children change continuously between mania and depression, sometimes several times in the same day. Sometimes children with bipolar disorder have symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.
Times of mania or depression may be less obvious in children and teens than in adults.
* During a time of mania, children and teens may:
o Feel irritable and throw violent temper tantrums.
o Seem extremely happy and have high energy levels.
o Touch their genitals, use sexual language, and approach others in a sexual way.
o Not sleep much and go about the house late at night looking for things to do.
o Talk very fast.
* During a time of depression, children and teens may:
o Say they feel empty, sad, bored, or down.
o Complain of headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or fatigue.
o Often spend time alone and may easily feel rejected or criticized.
o Move very slowly.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed in children and teens?
This disorder can be hard to diagnose in children and teens. The symptoms can look a lot like the symptoms of other problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol and drug abuse problems, or conduct disorder. Bipolar disorder can often occur along with these problems.
If your doctor thinks your child or teen may have bipolar disorder, he or she may ask questions about your child’s feelings and behavior. Your doctor may also give you and your child written tests to find out how severe the mania or depression is. The doctor may do other tests (such as a blood test) to rule out other health problems. He or she may ask if your family has any history of mental illness or problems with drugs or alcohol. Any of these problems can be linked to bipolar disorder.
Why is early diagnosis of bipolar disorder important?
Children with this disorder are more likely to have other problems. These include alcohol and drug abuse, trouble in school, running away from home, fighting, and even suicide. Treating the disorder as early as possible may keep your child from having these problems.
Watch for the warning signs of suicide, which change with age. Warning signs of suicide in children and teens may include thinking too much about death or suicide. Watch also for things that can trigger a suicide attempt such as a recent breakup of a relationship or the loss of a parent or close family member through death or divorce.
How is it treated?
The mood changes that come with bipolar disorder can be a challenge. But with the right treatment, they can be managed well. Treatment usually includes both medicine (such as mood stabilizers) and counseling.
An important part of treatment is making sure your child takes his or her medicine. Children and teens with this disorder sometimes stop taking their medicines when they feel better. But without medicine their symptoms usually come back.
Medicines for bipolar disorder in adults have been well studied. But not much research has been completed about how the medicines work and if they are safe for children and teens.
Accepting that your child has bipolar disorder can be hard. The disorder can be a serious, lifelong problem. Your child will need long-term treatment and will need to be watched carefully. By working with your child's doctor, you can find a treatment that works for your child.
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder
By National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). Public domain.
Last Reviewed:October 2008
Ryan's Story
Ryan is a healthy, active two-year-old, but his parents are concerned because he doesn't seem to be doing the same things that his older sister did at this age. He's not really talking, yet; although sometimes, he repeats, over and over, words that he hears others say. He doesn't use words to communicate, though. It seems he just enjoys the sounds of them. Ryan spends a lot of time playing by himself. He has a few favorite toys, mostly cars, or anything with wheels on it! And sometimes, he spins himself around as fast as he does the wheels on his cars. Ryan's parents are really concerned, as he's started throwing a tantrum whenever his routine has the smallest change. More and more, his parents feel stressed, not knowing what might trigger Ryan's next upset.
Often, it seems Ryan doesn't notice or care if his family or anyone else is around. His parents just don't know how to reach their little boy, who seems so rigid and far too set in his ways for his tender young age. After talking with their family doctor, Ryan's parents call the Early Intervention office in their community and make an appointment to have Ryan evaluated.
When the time comes, Ryan is seen by several professionals who play with him, watch him, and ask his parents a lot of questions. When they're all done, Ryan is diagnosed with a form of autism. As painful as this is for his parents to learn, the early intervention staff try to encourage them. By getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment, Ryan has the best chance to grow and develop. Of course, there's a long road ahead, but his parents take comfort in knowing that they aren't alone and they're getting Ryan the help he needs.
What is Autism / PDD?
Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is a neurological disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others. PDD represents a distinct category of developmental disabilities that share many of the same characteristics.
Last Reviewed:October 2008
Ryan's Story
Ryan is a healthy, active two-year-old, but his parents are concerned because he doesn't seem to be doing the same things that his older sister did at this age. He's not really talking, yet; although sometimes, he repeats, over and over, words that he hears others say. He doesn't use words to communicate, though. It seems he just enjoys the sounds of them. Ryan spends a lot of time playing by himself. He has a few favorite toys, mostly cars, or anything with wheels on it! And sometimes, he spins himself around as fast as he does the wheels on his cars. Ryan's parents are really concerned, as he's started throwing a tantrum whenever his routine has the smallest change. More and more, his parents feel stressed, not knowing what might trigger Ryan's next upset.
Often, it seems Ryan doesn't notice or care if his family or anyone else is around. His parents just don't know how to reach their little boy, who seems so rigid and far too set in his ways for his tender young age. After talking with their family doctor, Ryan's parents call the Early Intervention office in their community and make an appointment to have Ryan evaluated.
When the time comes, Ryan is seen by several professionals who play with him, watch him, and ask his parents a lot of questions. When they're all done, Ryan is diagnosed with a form of autism. As painful as this is for his parents to learn, the early intervention staff try to encourage them. By getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment, Ryan has the best chance to grow and develop. Of course, there's a long road ahead, but his parents take comfort in knowing that they aren't alone and they're getting Ryan the help he needs.
What is Autism / PDD?
Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is a neurological disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others. PDD represents a distinct category of developmental disabilities that share many of the same characteristics.
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