Question

What are the main mood problems in adolescents?

Answer 1

The transitional period from childhood to adulthood is called the adolescent period. According to WHO it starts from 10 to19 or 20 years of age. According to their findings, the children are attaining puberty earlier compared to the previous generations.

According to Hutchison’s theory, the adolescent period is divided into three phases these are early (11-14), middle (15-17), and late (18-22).

During this period of growth, the children go through emotional, physical, and emotional changes. The body secrets hormones like hormones luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in the bloodstream that affects brain chemistry. The body hair like underarm hair pubic hair grows both in girls and boys. The breast develops in girls and they get their menstrual cycle. The boys and girls see a spurt in their height.

With changes in their priorities with life changes, they become more conscious of their looks and physical appearance. They feel a growing attraction towards the opposite sex. Children at this age are very impulsive and take actions without thinking of the consequences. During this period the children require care and attention.

As per Eric Erickson's theory, this is the period of identity vs. Role confusion, adolescents look at developing relationships, independence, and self-identity. The children at this age feel uncomfortable until they adapt to the changes. If the child successfully sails through this stage the virtue is fidelity that enables them to explore and create their identity.

If the children find this phase difficult they go through various mood disorders, anxiety, and depressions.

Most common mood problems are:

1. Major depression: The child feels irritated and it remains at least for two weeks.

2. Bipolar disorder: The children suffering from bipolar disorder find a swing in their mood they would feel sad and depressed followed by elevated mood (manic).

3. Persistent depressive disorder: The children remain depressed and have irritated mood for a longer period sometimes as long as a year.

4. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: The child feels irritated and cannot control behavior.

5. Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder. The girls before getting their menstrual cycle have pain in the abdomen, body, and muscles the feel fatigue and week creating irritable mood, depression, and stress.

6. Mood disorder due to a general medical condition: Children would face mood disorder may be due to some reaction of the medicines due to sickness.

7. Substance-induced mood disorder: The adolescent who takes alcohol, smoking, or substance abused goes through mood disorders.

Other than these factors, it is often found that stress depression and mood disorders run in the family. The adolescent suffers from mood disorder due to environmental factors as well.

The adolescent exhibits, loss of energy, fatigue, difficulty in relationship within the family and friends, this is the period of schooling if the children lose concentration in their studies they lose confidence and develop low-esteem and low confidence. They show rebellious and aggressive behavior, they exhibit temper outbursts if the depression in excess they develop suicidal thoughts, etc.

This is a very crucial period some pass this stage successfully and for few, it is a difficult phase.