Depression
Dysthmyia
Bipolar disorder
Depression
It is only very recently that physicians have believed that children could become depressed. It is now known that children and adolescents suffer from the same types of depression as adults do.
Depressioncan be a long-lasting and disabling condition that affects most aspects of a person’s life and has distinct physical symptoms such as problems with sleep and appetite.
There are three different types of depressive disorders:
- major depressive disorder in which the person has one or more episodes of depression, each lasting from 7 to 9 months
- dysthymic disorder or dysthymia, a form of chronic low grade depression that can last for years,
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Dysthmyia
Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression that often starts in childhood and can continue throughout life. It is a low-level depression that reduces a person’s ability to enjoy life, and has negative effects on motivation and achievement.
About 70% of children and adolescents who suffer from dysthymia will go on to experience episodes of major depression.
Although uncommon, depressed children and adolescents are at risk for suicide.
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Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by often severe depression alternating with periods of euphoria. In adults, this manic phase can last months or sometimes years, during which time the individual will exhibit abnormal elation, recklessness, and the grandiosity that is typical of the condition.
Bipolar disorder can be diagnosed in young children or teenagers. In these younger people, the two emotional states may not alternate as they do in adults, that is, there may be long periods of depression, with the manic phase not appearing until years later. In children and teens, the primary symptoms are irritability and grandosity.
Bipolar disorder is usually a lifelong condition.
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