Diagnosis and Treatment of Affective Disorders in Children?
Affective (mood) disorders are one of the most common pediatric psychiatric diagnoses and can be quite serious. When left untreated, these disorders can lead to significant social, emotional, and academic difficulties.
There are a number of different types of affective (mood) disorders, each with its own characteristic symptoms. The following is a brief overview of each type and its most common symptoms.
Depression is the most common type of affective disorder and is characterized by a persistent depressive mood ( sadness, hopelessness, pessimism ) as well as a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, significant weight loss or weight gain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness and thoughts of death or suicide. Children with depression may have problems concentrating, making friends, and completing tasks.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Affective Disorders in Children
