Help with Mood Problems

All children are sad or grouchy from time to time. But some children really need help with their moods. Children with depression or bipolar disorder need help from parents and professionals. Left untreated, problems with mood could become worse and endanger children's well-being. Some children with mood problems can become reckless with their lives and some become suicidal. Below is a list of things that you can do to help your child with mood problems:

• Get help from professionals. Above all, children with mood problems need help from professionals. Talking to family and friends is probably not enough to help. There are therapies that can help children with mood problems. Cognitive-behavior therapy is very effective at reducing depression, for example. It can help children voice their feelings and learn strategies to deal with feelings. If you take your child to a therapist to treat depression, be sure they are trained in cognitive-behavior therapy.
• Consider medication. Medications can help with mood problems in some teens. Anti-depressants can decrease depression. Mood stabilizers can be used to treat bipolar disorder. There are potentially, but rare, serious side effects to anti-depressants for teens, however. There are reports that anti-depressants can increase suicidality in teens (these cases are rare). Discuss the pros and cons of medication with your child's doctor or a qualified child psychiatrist.
• Eating right. When people are depressed, they crave junk food. They may want to eat nothing but ice cream and potato chips all day. This food can make people a little happier right away, but over time it can actually make mood problems worse. People feel lousy when they eat lousy food. If your child is struggling with a depressed mood, be sure they eat a healthy variety of food. Be sure they are getting fruits and vegetables. Eating right won't treat depression, but it can improve mood.
• Exercise. Exercising releases chemicals in the brain that makes people feel good. Encourage your child to be active.
• Sleep. Not sleeping enough can make people grouchy and irritable. Not sleeping well for a long period of time can lead to depression. If your child is having a hard time falling asleep at night, you can try helping them follow a calming bedtime routine. Taking a warm bath and then reading (or being read to) in bed can help people fall asleep at night. Have your child avoid caffeine in the evening and not exercise or watch TV a couple of hours before bed. If sleep problems persist, talk to your child's doctor.
• Do fun things. When children (and adults) start to feel depressed they withdraw from doing things they enjoy. They may start to spend more time alone, see friends less, do hobbies less, and quit sports or clubs. This behavior actually makes depression a lot worse. Encourage your child to do fun things. Even if your child says nothing is fun, encourage him to think about what used to be fun. Get your child to do the things he/she used to enjoy. You can do these things with your child or push your child to spend time with friends. Your child may resist at first, but over time he/she may start to feel less depressed and begin enjoying life again.
• Get your child involved. Having low self-esteem can contribute to depression. Getting your child involved in a club, sport, or hobby can help build self-esteem. You could also get your child involved in volunteer work, which can give him or her a sense of pride.
• Listen without judgment. When people are struggling with sadness or other negative feelings, they often appreciate talking to someone. Give your child opportunities to talk. Give them your full attention. Be accepting of their feelings, not judging. Let them know that their feelings are okay. If they do not want to talk, let them know that you will be there to listen whenever they are ready to talk.