An assortment of mood-related changes often marks the teen years. With every action they take, they prepare for the next phase of their lives: adulthood. From changing bodies, developing their own beliefs, and even setting goals for the future, adolescence can be an exciting and anxiety-ridden time for teens. What happens when the mood swings are severe–making life with your teen quite challenging? If your teen suffers from severe mood swings, it is time to seek support. At Destinations for Teens, we treat teens struggling with mood disorders and other mental health concerns. Contact us at 877.466.0620 to learn more about our teen mood disorder treatment program.
What Are Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders are mental health challenges marked by depression, anxiety, or difficulty regulating emotions. Adults and teens experience mood disorders for a multitude of reasons. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adult Americans has mental health challenges. An estimated 20.9 million Americans are struggling with diagnosed mood disorders. Biological, social, and environmental factors contribute to the development of mood disorders. Clinicians believe that chemical brain imbalances often cause mood disorders in teens. Triggers may include stressful changes in a teen’s life, or they can even be hereditary.
Different Types of Mood Disorders
For teens dealing with mood disorders, it is essential to know that mental health can impact all areas of their lives. If left untreated, mood disorders can cause teens to make decisions that negatively affect their lives. For this reason, getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate teenage mood disorder treatment is so important. More than anything, we want our teens to learn how to deal with their mental health challenges effectively so that they can live happy and healthy lives. Below are common types of mood disorders:
Major Depression
When teens appear hopeless, lack self-esteem, and withdraw from others, these are all signs of depression. If your teen is also experiencing periods of sleeplessness, changes in eating habits, and even sleepiness, these are also signs of depression. Pay close attention to your teen’s behavior — if they have trouble focusing, discussing suicide, or feeling worthless, it is essential to seek teen mood disorder treatment.
Bipolar Disorder
Teens experiencing a combination of manic episodes followed by periods of severe depression or muted emotional responses may be experiencing bipolar disorder.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
This mental health concern is marked by consistent grouchiness. Teens with this mood disorder will have challenges in controlling their behavior.
Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder
Experiencing symptoms of depression, tension, and grouchiness before menstruating could indicate the presence of premenstrual dysmorphic disorder.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
If your teen has experienced irritability and moodiness for at least a year, this is known as dysthymia.
Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
If your teen has a substance use disorder or uses specific medicine, they can take on symptoms of depression or mania.
Mood Disorders as a Result of Health Challenges
If your teen suffers from chronic illness, infections, injuries, or even cancer, they can develop a mood disorder. A teen mood disorder treatment program can help your child manage symptoms to live a happier, healthier life. Working with a team of skilled and trained professionals, your teen will learn how to cope with their mental health challenges so that they can conquer life confidently.
Mood Disorder Treatment
At Destinations for Teens, our mission is to arm teens with the skills they need to cope with their mood disorders. We offer evidence-based treatment plans that include therapy, medication management, and other services tailored to your child’s needs. With the help of our clinicians, your teen will learn how to identify triggers and apply coping techniques to manage their symptoms. Some of the treatment programs available to teens with mood disorders include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — Our clinicians use CBT to help teens identify and challenge negative thought patterns to gain insight into their behaviors.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) — This therapy helps teens understand their emotions better and learn how to regulate them healthily.
- Mindfulness — Teens learn to become more aware of their emotions to manage them better.
- Psychopharmacology — Medication management helps teens regulate their moods and promotes overall well-being.
- Family therapy — We work with your family unit to provide support and guidance during this time of need.
If you believe your teen is suffering from a mood disorder, don’t wait to seek out help. Contact us today at Destinations for Teens to learn more about our teen mood disorder treatment program and how we can help your family get back on the right track.
Destinations For Teens Provides Teenage Mood Disorder Treatment
Destinations for Teens provides supportive mental health treatment programs to help your teen navigate life with a mood disorder. Contact us at 877.466.0620 or online to discover how our treatment programs can help your teen live a healthy life.
References https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness