Mood Disorders in Children and Youth
OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF TREATMENT
The child/youth attains an agreed upon level of functioning; the child/youth and primary care giver(s) learn skills to prevent or manage future episodes of illness. These skills can include increased awareness of mood disorder symptoms, continuation of preventative medication, and changes in behavior and thinking about themselves, their environment, and their future which facilitate health.
ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES (See Assessment Guidelines for Children/Youth)
Assessment of children and youth involves gathering data from multiple sources which may include schools, family, caseworkers, and child care providers.
1. Children/youth with mood disorders should be assessed at intake for possible danger to self and others when appropriate, and crisis intervention provided as needed. Families should be informed of serious concerns regarding possible danger to self or others. Age appropriate instruments, such as the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklists (CBCL), may be helpful to aid in the evaluation of symptoms.
2. Children/youth who are SED with a mood disorder should be screened and prioritized for necessary services. In addition to traditional services, others to be considered, depending upon the individual needs of the child and his/her family, may include case management, respite care, and in-home services. Child/youth with multiple agency involvement may also be referred to the local FACT committee or other community resources.
3. Children/Youth with a mood disorder should be referred, as indicated, to a medical provider for evaluation for the presence of general medical conditions contributing to the mood disorder.
TREATMENT GUIDELINES (See Treatment Guidelines for Children/Youth)
Appropriate psychotherapy, family and child/youth education, as well as medication management are important factors in the effective treatment of mood disorders.
1. Therapists working with children/youth who are mood disordered should actively involve the family, school, and others as appropriate. Focus should be on collaboratively developed goals and the use of effective, age appropriate treatment methods for children/youth. Individualized approaches outside the traditional office setting are encouraged when therapeutically indicated. Such services might include respite care, in-home and on-site services, and case management.
2. Education about mood disorders in children and youth and the options for treatment should be provided to children/youth and families. This is a valuable aid to treatment. Therapists should provide families and the child/youth the opportunity to discuss the information provided.
3. Medication is frequently an effective component in the treatment of children and youth with mood disorders. Medication evaluation should be considered for those children/youth whose symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a mood disorder. In addition to diagnostic criteria, some indicators are:
4. The medical provider is responsible for providing the child/youth and families with information about medication, including potential benefits and side effects for children/youth. Families and the child/youth should be encouraged to ask questions and discuss concerns.
5. When a client misses a scheduled appointment, the intensity and immediacy of outreach should be clinically determined.
6. An assigned staff person should assume primary responsibility for the coordination of treatment between care providers. All providers should work collaboratively in the treatment. Each provider assumes responsibility for appropriate documentation of their services.
THESE GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN
DEVELOPED BY:
THE UTAH PREFERRED PRACTICE CONSENSUS PANEL
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UTAH
DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH
APPROVED APRIL 19, 1996