Symptoms and Signs of Affective Disorders in Children?
Affective (mood) disorders are conditions that affect a person’s mood or emotional well-being. They can be extremely disruptive to the child’s everyday life and school performance and can cause significant distress to the family. Affective disorders can range from mild to severe and can impact any area of a person’s life. Some common symptoms of affective disorders in children include sadness, hopelessness, irritability, poor concentration, hyperactivity, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness. Often, these symptoms are difficult to distinguish from normal childhood emotions such as disappointment, frustration, or sadness. However, there are several ways in which affective disorders in children can be identified and treated: by screening for the condition at pediatric appointments; through interviews with the family; by reviewing medical records; and conducting psychological tests.