Mood Disorders
About 20% of the U.S. population reports at least one depressive symptom in a given month. Mood disorders are a category of illnesses that describe a severe change in mood. Illness under mood disorders includes depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Treating children at a young age who have these disorders can often decrease the onset or the severity of bipolar disorder or manic depression. OTs use a psychosocial approach as they gather knowledge of meaningful occupations alongside same-aged peers. These children gain individual skills and then work alongside peers to address rigid thinking patterns while increasing independence in daily activities and working on social skills.
