Mood Disorder Center
The mood disorder center is designed to evaluate, test and treat children, adolescents and adults who experience depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and other disorders of mood dysregulation. We define moods as changes in emotions, over time. Mood disorders may be seen very early in a child’s development. Prior to 1970, most professionals felt that young children did not have the psychological capacity to be depressed. Work with very young children changed this perception. Children as early as infancy, toddler hood and preschool age are successfully being identified and treated for depression. We are seeing a parallel process in the area of pediatric bipolar disorder. Children are now being treated for this disorder during early childhood. In addition, children with anxiety disorders are being treated at earlier ages.
Our diagnostic process is longitudinal rather than static. We evaluate children, adolescents and adults over a period of time, rather than in one session. This enables us to see clients at different times of the day and in different settings. During each evaluation, a number of professionals have contact with the client. This allows us to share our data and experiences to help develop a truly comprehensive picture of the person seeking help.
Our evaluation starts with the initial phone contact in which preliminary information is obtained. This is followed by a comprehensive interview in the office with the adult client, or the parents, if the client is a child. During the interview, developmental information, family history, school or job-related information, symptom development, mood variability and a genogram of family relationships is collected. (continued)
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