Including Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression
General Mood Disorder Resources
According to the Mayo Clinic:
If you have a mood disorder, your general emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with your circumstances and interferes with your ability to function. You may be extremely sad, empty or irritable (depressed), or you may have periods of depression alternating with being excessively happy (mania).
Anxiety disorders can also affect your mood and often occur along with depression. Mood disorders may increase your risk of suicide.
Downloadable Resources
Getting Started: A Guide for Parents of Children with Mood Disorders
Gizmo’s Pawsome Guide to Mental Health
Helping a Friend or Family Member with Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Mental Health and School Avoidance: What parents need to know
Websites
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Mental Health America
Mental Health First Aid
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
Overview of Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorder
According to the CDC:
Anxiety may present as fear or worry, but can also make children irritable and angry. Anxiety symptoms can also include trouble sleeping, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. Some anxious children keep their worries to themselves and, thus, the symptoms can be missed.
Downloadable Resources
Anxiety Disorders in Children
Crisis Management Plan: Support at Home for Children and Youth with Mental Health Needs
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms
Social Anxiety Disorder
Treating Anxiety Disorders
Understanding Anxiety Disorders for Young Adults
Understanding Anxiety Disorders for Caregivers
Articles
Anxiety in Children
Ideas to Support Children and Families Impacted by Abuse, Trauma and Divorce
What Caused my Social Anxiety
What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious
Websites
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
MedLinePlus: Anxiety
My Anxiety Plan (MAP) for Children and Teens
NIMH: Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health:
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
Downloadable Resources
Bipolar Disorder (Spanish version here)
Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens (Spanish version here)
Bipolar Disorder in Teens and Young Adults: Know the Signs
Bipolar Disorder: Make the Family Connection
Understanding Bipolar Disorder for Caregivers
Understanding Bipolar Disorder for Young Adults
Articles
Bipolar Disorder in Children: Is it Possible?
Bipolar Disorder in Teens
Living with Depression or Bipolar Disorder?
Mental Health Education and Support at School can be Critical
Websites
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
National Alliance on Mental Illness: Bipolar Disorder
Depression
As the Mayo Clinic states:
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.
More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.
Downloadable Resources
Depression Basics (Spanish Version here)
Finding Peace of Mind: Treatment Strategies for Depression
Getting Started: A Guide for Parents of Children with Mood Disorders
Helping a Friend or Family Member with Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices
Questions About Suicide
Suicide & Safe Storage of Firearms
Teen Depression (Spanish Version here)
Understanding Depression for Young Adults
What are the “ROAM” Signs of Depression?
Articles
Common Myths About Teen Suicide
Depression and the Autism Spectrum
Eli Harkness: I Survived a Suicide Attempt
Speaking Up is the First Step to Overcoming Depression
Suicide Prevention Tips
Websites
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Families for Depression Awareness
National Institute on Mental Health: Depression
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline