Mood Disorders Clinic

Rates of depression among children and adolescents are estimated to be between five and ten percent, with girls having double the rates compared to boys. Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicide, now the third leading cause of death among adolescents. Rates of suicide among adolescents and young adults are even higher in the San Francisco Bay Area compared to similar metropolitan areas.

Childhood-onset depression often persists, recurs and continues into adulthood, frequently in a more severe form. Depression in young people is accompanied by psychological or somatic symptoms, behavioral manifestations or other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders and substance abuse. Depression also commonly occurs in conjunction with serious or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis and epilepsy.

The Mood Disorders Clinic serves children and adolescents up to age 18 who have as their primary problem mood disorders such as the following:

• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Cyclothymia
• Bipolar disorder

Services offered include psychiatric evaluation and consultation, medication management and psychotherapy. Within the context of clinical care are ongoing research protocols designed to investigate and monitor the efficacy of current treatments. Personnel include staff child psychiatrists, child psychologists and child and adolescent psychiatry trainees. The clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood bipolar disorder.

For referrals or additional information, please contact (650) 723-5511.