Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children

1. Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children Presented by Alexa Hartrich MS, MSW Community Liaison Riveredge Hospital www.riveredgehospital.com

2. Riveredge Hospital • Our mission: We strive to foster an environment that demonstrates compassion and caring with timely and effective communication through comprehensive behavioral health care services of clinical excellence. www.riveredgehospital.com

3. Riveredge Treatment • Riveredge offers Inpatient and Partial Hospital Programs. Our treatment is client-centered with a commitment to Trauma Informed Care. • Inpatient Programs • Partial Hospitalization • Intensive Outpatient Programs • Residential www.riveredgehospital.com

4. Overview • Mental Health/Mental Illness • Mood Disorders • Bipolar Disorder in Children/Adolescents • Treatment Options • Depression in Children/Adolescents • Treatment Options • Family Support • Q & A www.riveredgehospital.com

5. Mental Health is characterized by… • Ability to engage in productive activities • Fulfilling relationships with others • Ability to adapt to change • Capacity to cope with adversity US Surgeon General’s landmark report on Mental Health, released in December of 1999 www.riveredgehospital.com

6. Mental Illness is NOT.. • The result of poor parenting • Anyone’s fault • A personal weakness www.riveredgehospital.com

7. Bipolar Disorder/ Depression has affected: • Isaac Newton • Abraham Lincoln • Winston Churchill • Beethoven • Charles Dickens • Virginia Woolf • Ernest Hemingway …And probably enhanced their brilliance www.riveredgehospital.com

8. Mental Illness is … • A health condition characterized by ALTERATIONS IN THINKING, MOOD OR BEHAVIOR. (or a combination of the above ) associated with distress or impaired functioning. • Mental illness is an “equal opportunity destroyer” • It can affect persons of all ages, races, socio-economic level, religion, educational background, and gender TREATMENT WORKS! Most people can and do Recover with proper treatment! www.riveredgehospital.com

9. Statistics • Fewer than 1/2 of adults and 1/3 of children with diagnosable mental disorders receive any mental health treatment in a given year. • The majority of persons with serious mental illness--55%--deny that they have any problem, and so do not seek treatment. www.riveredgehospital.com

10. Mood Disorders • Mood disorders include: • Major Depressive disorders (MDD) • Bipolar disorders • Mood disorders are characterized by persistent disturbances, either highs or lows, in mood (emotions / affect). • Everyone experiences ups and downs in response to events (good or bad) in their lives. Short-term ups and downs are normal; persistent ones lasting for days or weeks are not. • Persistent highs or lows are mood disorders and need medical treatment. www.riveredgehospital.com

11. Mood Disorders:Major Depressive Disorder • Depression is more than the blues. • Depression is not a personal weakness. • Depression is a treatable illness. • MDD affects 8% of children and teens * Schaffer et al. 1996 www.riveredgehospital.com

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14. Symptoms of Depression in Children/Adolescents vs. Adults • Frequent sadness, or crying • Decreased interest in activities • Persistent boredom; low energy • Social isolation • Low self-esteem and guilt • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure • Increased irritability, anger, or hostility • Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school • Difficulty concentrating • A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns • Talk of, or efforts to run away from home • (In older children) : • Drug abuse or alcohol abuse • Persistent sadness • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness • Lost interest in pleasurable activity • Lack of energy • Fatigue • Anxiety, irritability • Thoughts of suicide • Digestive problems • Difficulty concentrating www.riveredgehospital.com

15. Bipolar Disorder: • Bipolar disorder is a combination of depressive and manic episodes. • Remember that during a depressive episode, suicide is a considerable risk. • Bipolar disorder is more than highs and lows. www.riveredgehospital.com

16. Bipolar Facts & Stats • Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is l5 to 30%. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50 to 75%. (National Institute of Mental Health) • Some 20% of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within five years of the onset of depression. (Birmaher, B., "Childhood and Adolescent Depression: A Review of the Past 10 Years." Part I, 1995) • Up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1997) www.riveredgehospital.com

17. Symptoms/Behaviors of Bipolar Disorder in Children/Adolescents vs.Adults • Destructive rages • Impulsive behaviors • Extreme emotions • Oppositional behavior • Sensitivity to stimuli • Problems with peers • Temperature dysregulation • Craving carbs/sweets • Bedwetting and soiling • Hallucinations • Suicidal ideation • Easily startled/excitable • Separation distress • Overly sensitive to rejection • Major mood swings • Sad or empty moods • Thoughts of death/suicide • Chronic pain • Excessive crying • Rash behavior like shopping sprees, hyper-sexual • Poor judgment • Racing thoughts, pressured speech • Grandiose delusions; exaggerated optimism • Lack of sleep/excessive sleep • Lack of hunger/overeating • Rigid/less flexible www.riveredgehospital.com

18. Mental Illness and the Impact on the Family Financial Marital Stress/Time Sibling Relationships www.riveredgehospital.com

19. Treatment for Mood Disorders in Children/Adolescents • Medication • Therapy • Play therapy • Family therapy • CBT, etc • Exercise • Group Therapy/ Support Groups • Eliminate/Minimize Video Games & TV • Diet • Sugar intake reduced • Supplements • Omega 3 www.riveredgehospital.com

20. Helpful supports … Support Groups NAMI DBSA Educational Programming Peer Support Literature Advocacy www.riveredgehospital.com

21. Contact Info • Alexa Hartrich • 773-991-2398 • Alexa.Hartrich@uhsinc.com • 24 hour assessment and referral • 708-209-4181 www.riveredgehospital.com