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These are disorders typically describing depression and bipolar disorders and affect children, adolescents, and adults alike. Typically, individuals with this condition experience long periods of intense emotions, whether sadness or euphoria.

Kinds of Mood Disorders

• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar disorder
• Substance-induced mood disorder
• Other mood disorders associated with current health conditions

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of mood disorders:

• Brain chemical imbalances
• Genetic factors
• Life changes (most often because of stress)

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with mood disorders:

• Low self-esteem or self-confidence
• Frequent bouts of sadness
• Irritability and other mood changes
• Appetite and weight changes
• Excessive guilt and anger
• Trouble with decision-makin
• Recurring thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide
• Low performance in school or work due to excessive mood changes

Diagnosis/Assessment

After a comprehensive evaluation/assessment, a psychiatrist may collaborate with you on your next treatment steps.

Treatment

• Antidepressant and mood-stabilizing prescriptions
• Psychotherapy
• Family therapy
• Other therapies

This is a developmental disorder, more commonly affecting children, that slows down social, physical, andemotional development through reduced social skills, repetitive and potentially harmful behavior, and rigidand/or intense interests.

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of DMDD:

• Psychosocial stressors
• Conflicts at home or in school
• Learning or communicative disorders
• Being of school-age may be a factor

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with DMDD:

• Excessive temper
• Unwarranted tantrums and outbursts
• Irritability or anger for most of the day
• Concentration problems
• Trouble functioning

Diagnosis/Assessment

Should you suspect that your child is showing symptoms of this disorder, you may tell all this to your child’s behavioral health provider, and they may schedule an assessment for further details. It’s best to note that DMDD symptoms have similar symptoms with other developmental disorders, so a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary.

Treatment

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C)
• Parent Training
• Computer-Based Training
• Medications

These are mental health disorders typically affecting the fear response of individuals, causing them toexperience irrational and sometimes overwhelming fear or worry.

Kinds of Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Various Phobia-Related Disorders

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of Anxiety Disorders:

• Traits of shyness in childhood
• Exposure to negative events or psychosocial stressors in childhood or early adulthood
• Conflicts at home or in school
• Presence of physical conditions

Symptoms

Different anxiety disorders manifest different symptoms, but here are some of the general symptoms associated with Anxiety Disorders:

• Restlessness and on-edge
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues (mind going blank)
• Difficulty managing feelings of worry
• Problems with sleeping habits
• Feelings of doom or great fear
• Physical manifestations like shortness of breath and a tight feeling in the chest
• Trembling/sweating
• And more

Diagnosis/Assessment

The behavioral health provider will be looking at various areas of concern, including diagnostic areas and their observational diagnosis. Patients will also be asked to complete self-report questionnaires and extensive interviews.

Differential diagnosis may also be done since anxiety symptoms may have symptoms similar to other disorders, including depression and mood disorders. This diagnosis will be ruled out for anxiety types like OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
  1. Anti-anxiety medications
  2. Antidepressants
  3. Beta-blockers

This is a mental health disorder characterized by bouts of intense sadness and loss of appetite and interest inthings once enjoyed. In severe cases, this may also be accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

Types of Depression

• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Perinatal depression
• Seasonal affective depression
• Depression with psychosis

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of depression:

• Death, loss, and severe life events/changes
• Genetic factors
• Abuse and personal conflict
• A history of substance abuse
• Presence of a physical health condition
• Medication side effects

Take note, depression may manifest in different age groups in varying ways. While children may show signs of school troubles and frustration, adults may have a more negative impact on their work and daily living, with heightened depressive disorders and frequent gastrointestinal symptoms.

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with depression:

• Low self-esteem or self-confidence
• Frequent bouts of sadness
• Irritability and other mood changes
• Appetite and weight changes
• Excessive guilt and anger
• Trouble with decision-making
• Recurring thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide
• Low performance in school or work due to excessive mood changes

Diagnosis/Assessment

For a behavioral health provider to diagnose an individual with depression, they must show at least five symptoms of depression, after which providers may refer individuals to other healthcare professionals for testing and assessment. Physical exams and lab results are part of the basis of the complete, finished diagnosis.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Brain Stimulation Therapy

This is a mental health disorder characterized by sudden shifts of extreme behavior (either from mania todepression or vice versa) and often disrupting one’s day-to-day life.

Types of Bipolar Disorders

• Bipolar I Disorder
• Bipolar II Disorder
• Cyclothymic Disorder
• Others (may be drug-related)

Causes/Risk Factors

The exact causes for bipolar disorders are unknown, but here are the possible risk factors of the disease:

• Biological differences
• Genetics
• Periods of high stress and anxiety
• Substance use and abuse
• Presence of co-occurring conditions (physical or psychological)

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorders:

Manic symptoms:

• High self-esteem
• A grandiose perspective of things
• Decreased need for sleep
• Lack of caution for doing things
• Impulsivity
• Racing thoughts

Depressive symptoms: 

• Appetite and weight loss
• Recurring suicidal thoughts
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Extreme sadness or loss of enthusiasm for most of the day
• Extreme guilt or feelings of worthlessness
• Indecisiveness

Diagnosis/Assessment

As part of their comprehensive evaluation, behavioral health providers may facilitate a combination of physical and psychological assessments. Patients are also encouraged to manage their daily mood charts to help providers find a pattern in their mood changes, possible triggers, and the ideal treatment type.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Family-focused therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Medications
• Day treatment programs
• Substance abuse treatment
• Hospitalization (if the individual poses a huge threat to their safety and others’)

This is a medical cognitive condition that affects the individual’s attention response and self-control andoften manifests in the inability to concentrate for long and/or impulsivity.

Types of ADHD

• ADHD-inattentive subtype
• ADHD-hyperactive subtype
• Combined inattentive and hyperactive subtype

Causes/Risk Factors

Children and adults may be diagnosed with ADHD. Here are the possible risk factors of ADHD:

• Biological and genetic factors
• Premature birth
• Negative behavior during pregnancy
• Exposure to environmental toxins and harmful substances

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with ADHD

• Appetite and weight loss
• Recurring suicidal thoughts
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Extreme sadness or loss of enthusiasm for most of the day
• Extreme guilt or feelings of worthlessness
• Indecisiveness

Diagnosis/Assessment

Providers will be basing their diagnosis on the DSM-5 criteria by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Other resembling conditions may mimic symptoms of ADHD so an in-depth analysis is essential.

Treatment

• Behavior Therapy
• Parent Training
• School-based intervention
• Medications
• Psychotherapy

This is a behavioral health disorder caused by a distinct traumatizing event that triggers the fight-or-flightresponses in individuals when dealing with symptoms like bad dreams and flashbacks.

Related Conditions of PTSD

• Acute Stress Disorder
• Adjustment disorder
• Disinhibited social engagement disorder
• Reactive attachment disorder

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible cause/risk factors of PTSD:

• History of abuse
• Family history or genetic behavior
• A major traumatic experience
• Recurring stress
• Exposure to triggers
• Lack of emotional support

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with PTSD:

• Intrusive thoughts and involuntary flashbacks
• Ongoing fear and horror
• Occurring anger outbursts
• Detachment from pre-loved activities and people
• Reckless behavior
• Easily startled and overly suspicious

Diagnosis/Assessment

Contrary to popular belief, PTSD may still occur to individuals who indirectly experienced a traumatic experience. A complete diagnosis of the person is a major responsibility that behavioral health providers must undertake.

Treatment

• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy
• Stress Inoculation Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Other forms of psychotherapy
• Medications
• Other alternative treatment methods

These are brain disorders modifying the way an individual perceives reality. Symptoms may include hallucinationsand delusions that may become harmful over time if left untreated.

Causes/Risk Factors

There is no one root cause of schizophrenia but here are the possible causes/risk factors that may contribute to its development:

• Brain chemical alterations or defects
• Genetic make-up

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia:

• Insistent hallucinations (auditory, sensory, visual, and olfactory)
• Overly active
• False beliefs and delusions manifested
• Inappropriate thoughts or moods for certain situations
• Incomprehensible speech
• Isolation from friends and loved ones
• Strange behavioral changes
• Quick and nonsensical thought or topic transitions

Diagnosis/Assessment

The behavioral health provider may facilitate a complete physical examination and a review of the patient’s medical history. Diagnostic tests may also be implemented to rule out any physical illnesses or related psychological ones that mimic symptoms of schizophrenia.

Treatment

• Counseling
• Medication
• Combination of the two

This is a behavioral disorder commonly found in children and is often accompanied by antisocial behavior and destructive conduct, like bullying, delinquency, and cruelty to animals and other people.

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of CD:

• Damage to the individual’s frontal lobe
• Head injury
• Hereditary factors
• Child abuse
• Family conflict and dysfunction
• Increased risk for low-income or poor families
• Presence of similar psychological disorders, like ODD and anxiety disorders

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with CD:

• Bullying and threatening others
• Manipulation and dangerous intimidation
• Forceful behavior
• Animal and people cruelty
• Theft
• Destructive behavior (arson and assault)
• Pathological lying
• Absence of guilt and remorse

Diagnosis/Assessment

Behavioral health providers may include a combination of various physical and psychological assessments. CD may have similar symptoms like ODD and other disruptive and psychotic disorders so a comprehensive diagnosis is especially vital.

Treatment

• Psychosocial therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy and parental training
• Peer group training
• Pharmacology treatment (since there are no FDA-approved medications for this condition, stimulant drugs may be prescribed for the treatment of co-occurring disorders

This is a behavioral disorder that often manifests in childhood. Common symptoms of this disorder include frequent anger and defiance to authority or other adults the child interacts with.

Causes/Risk Factors

Here are the possible causes/risk factors of ODD:

• Exposure to violence and delinquency at home or in school during early years
• Defects in certain areas of the brain
• Negative parenting or discipline reinforcements
• Presence of similar psychological disorders, like CD and anxiety disorders

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with ODD:

• Irritability and temper control issues
• Vindictiveness
• Defiant behavior, especially concerning authority
• Intentionally disobeying rules

Diagnosis/Assessment

Behavioral health providers may include a combination of various physical and psychological assessments. ODD may have similar symptoms like CD and other disruptive and psychotic disorders so a comprehensive diagnosis is especially vital.

Treatment

• Psychosocial therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy and parental training
• Pharmacology treatment (since there are no FDA-approved medications for this condition, stimulant drugs may be prescribed for the treatment of co-occurring disorders

ODD, Bipolar, and CD: The Difference

ODD and bipolar disorders are very different, in the sense that ODD has more symptoms of aggressiveness and irritability compared to the manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. Also, ODD may have psychotic symptoms whereas bipolar disorders rarely, if not never, showcase any signs of psychosis.

On the other hand, ODD and CD are closely linked, as the severe case of ODD is CD. That is, if ODD isn’t treated, this may progress to CD.

This is a long-lasting disorder characterized by repetitive motions and severe or persistent thoughts of doubt and distress. An individual with OCD may engage in repetitive behaviors to alleviate their anxiety.

Causes/Risk Factors

A variety of risk factors including the following may contribute to the development of OCD:

• Genetics
• Brain differences (particularly in the pre-frontal cortex)
• Childhood trauma (closely linked but more research is needed)
• Presence of streptococcal infections

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with OCD:

Obsessions:

• Fear of contamination
• Aggressive thoughts
• Irrational desire to keep things in control or organized
• Fear of losing control

Compulsions:

• Excessive arranging and sanitation
• Compulsive counting
• Repetitive behavior or actions

Diagnosis/Assessment

Talking to a behavioral health provider for suspicion of OCD is the best first step to getting a full diagnosis. The provider may refer the individual to another professional or collaborate with others for a full, extensive diagnosis.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Combination of the two

This is a stress-related disorder that often affects and influences performance at work or school. Individuals with this disorder may experience stress more than the average person.

Causes/Risk Factors

A variety of risk factors including the following may contribute to the development of Adjustment Disorder:

• Exposure to constant stress
• Mental health problems
• Relationship problems leading to stress
• Exposure to a life-threatening event

Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms associated with Adjustment Disorder:

• Frequent crying and sobbing
• Excessive feelings of sadness
• Easily feeling overwhelmed
• Concentration problems
• Lack of or decreased appetite
• Constant feelings of worry and anxiety

Diagnosis/Assessment

When stress is no longer just a phase in everyday living but has become a part of daily routine, it’s best to seek help from a professional. These professionals can conduct examinations to gather information about stressors and possible treatment methods.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Family Therapy
• Medication
• Combination of the above