Every child has tough days. Moodiness, frustration, and emotional ups and downs are part of growing up. But sometimes, the changes we see in a child’s mood, behavior, or energy level are more than just a passing phase, they may be signs of a deeper mental health concern, like a mood disorder.
What are mood disorders?
Mood disorders are conditions that primarily affect a person’s emotional state, making it difficult to regulate their feelings or reactions to the world around them. For children and teens, this can mean experiencing persistent sadness, irritability, or extreme emotional ups and downs. These emotions can interfere with their daily activities—such as school, relationships, and family life—and can significantly impact their overall health and happiness.
While the term “mood disorder” includes conditions like depression and bipolar disorder, it’s important to understand that each young person’s experience with mood disorders can look different. What’s more important is recognizing the changes in their behavior, mood, or energy that go beyond typical emotional ups and downs and providing the professional support they need.
What mood disorders might look like in kids or teens
At times, recognizing the signs of a mood disorder in a child or teen can be tricky. It’s easy to write off mood changes as “typical teenage behavior” or “just a rough day,” but there are key signs to watch for, including:
Not every child will show the same signs, and some may try hard to mask how they’re feeling. That’s why paying attention to patterns and changes over time is so important.
Why mood disorders develop
Mood disorders can develop for a variety of reasons, including genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, chronic stress, social media and peer pressure, or challenging life events. What’s important to remember is that these are medical conditions—not character flaws or signs of weakness. Blaming yourself or your child doesn’t help. What does help is getting support early.
Why early awareness matters
The earlier mood disorders are identified, the easier it is to manage and treat them. Left unaddressed, these conditions can take a toll on a young person’s mental and physical health. But with early support—whether through therapy, counseling, or lifestyle changes—many young people can successfully manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
At Connections, we’re committed to supporting youth and families with compassionate, expert care—wherever and whenever it's needed most. Our centers are located in communities across the country to ensure timely access to mental health support. If you are near a center, just walk-in, no appointment or referral needed. Our Connections centers currently serving youth are located in Tucson, AZ, and Harrisburg, PA.
Additional Connections centers will soon be opening to expand our support for youth and their families, bringing vital mental health services to even more communities.
If you're not near a Connections center, there are nationwide mental health resources available to support you and your family. Explore national resources here.
If your child is struggling or you need immediate guidance, you can also call or text 988, the national crisis helpline. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide free, confidential support and connect you to local resources. Visit 988helpline.org to learn more.