Mood Disorders
Have you ever felt like your emotions are taking over your life? If so, you may be experiencing a mood disorder. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of mood disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatments to help you understand how to recognize and manage them.
What is a mood disorder?
Mood disorders are characterized by a significant mood shift that disrupts daily activities. Experiencing a distorted emotional state or mood can be indicative of a mental health issue. You will experience significant changes in your mood, energy level, behavior, intense sadness, emptiness, irritability, or episodes of depression mixed with excessive happiness.
It’s normal for your mood to change depending on the situation. However, to diagnose mood disorder, the symptoms must be present for several weeks or longer. Mood disorders can lead to changes in behavior and hinder the performance of daily tasks, such as attending work or school. This prevalent mental health condition can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
What are the symptoms of mood disorders?
of mood disorders may include:
- Irritability, hostility, or aggressiveness
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or anxiety
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling down almost all of the time or almost daily
- Lack of energy or fatigue
- Feeling hopeless or unworthy
- Unexplained physical symptoms, for instance, headaches or stomach aches
- Thoughts about self-harm or suicide
- Experiencing a lack of enjoyment in activities that were once pleasurable
What are types of mood disorders?
There are various types of mood disorder, each with unique symptoms and characteristics. The common types given below:
Depression
One of the common mental disorders is depression. Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness are one of the major signs of depression. Furthermore, this condition hinders one’s ability to think clearly, remember important information, maintain a healthy diet, and get adequate sleep. Clinical depression requires symptoms to continue for at least two weeks in order to be diagnosed.
There are several different types of depression, including:
There are several different types of depression, including:
Peripartum depression: Pregnant women and new mothers experience this sort of depression during or after giving birth. After giving birth, they go through hormonal, physical, emotional, monetary, and social changes. These changes may contribute to peripartum depression symptoms. Not just the mother giving birth is impacted by postpartum depression. It may also affect surrogates and adoptive parents.
Persistent depressive disorder: Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a form of depression that is typically mild to moderate in intensity. Individuals with PDD experience a persistently low mood, feelings of sadness or darkness, and at least two other symptoms commonly associated with depression. This type of depression is considered chronic and must last for a minimum of two years. Although not as severe as major depressive disorder, PDD is still a significant mental health condition.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is brought on by seasonal changes. Typically, it starts during late fall or early winter and lasts until spring or summer. Less commonly, SAD episodes may begin during late spring or summer, and they often decrease or go away during the spring and summer months. Symptoms of winter SAD can be similar to those of major depression.
Depression with psychosis: Psychotic depression is a severe form of depression that can cause hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others don’t) or delusions (having false but unchanging beliefs). People with this condition are at a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes sudden changes in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behavior. It is divided into different types that are identified by intense mood swings, including hypomanic/manic and depressed episodes. These fluctuations can disrupt your daily routine and can last for a few minutes, several days, weeks, or even months.
The four basic types of bipolar disorder, include:
Bipolar I disorder: People who have been diagnosed with bipolar I disorder have gone through one or more instances of mania. Mania is a condition where there are significant changes in emotions, thoughts, energy levels, talkativeness, and activity. This can also lead to an excessively high or irritable mood. It is common for those with bipolar I to experience both manic and depressive episodes.
Bipolar II disorder: This disorder shares some similarities with bipolar I, as it also involves periods of depression. However, individuals with bipolar II also experience hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. While manic episodes can be quite severe and disruptive, hypomanic phases are less intense. Despite these challenges, individuals with bipolar II are often able to handle daily responsibilities.
Cyclothymia disorder (cyclothymia): There is a type of bipolar disorder known as cyclothymia or cyclothymic disorder, which is less severe. This condition involves recurring episodes of hypomania and depression, leading to frequent mood swings. Individuals with cyclothymic disorder experience persistent mood instability, with moderate sadness and hypomania lasting for a minimum of two years.
Other specified and unspecified bipolar disorders: Bipolar disorder can manifest in various ways, and this particular type is characterized by mood swings that cannot be classified under any other category. These swings can be severe and disruptive, impacting various aspects of an individual’s life.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
A mood disturbance that occurs approximately a week to ten days before the start of menstruation and fades away a few days after the cycle begins is known as a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle are believed to be the cause of this condition, which may cause symptoms such as anger, irritability, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, according to researchers.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD is a condition that affects children and teenagers. It is characterized by chronic, severe, and persistent irritability, often accompanied by frequent temper outbursts that are not age-appropriate. DMDD is more severe than Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), and the child exhibits anger most of the time, typically before the age of 10.
What are the causes of mood disorder
The exact causes of mood disorder are not fully understood, but research suggests that genetic, environmental, and psychological factors play a role. Here are some possible causes of mood disorders:
Genetics– Some Mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder, have a strong genetic component suggesting that it runs in families. Certain genes may make some people more sensitive to developing a mood disorder.
Brain chemistry- Imbalances in specific chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, can lead to mood disorders.
Life events- traumatic life experiences, such as the loss of a loved one, or neglect, can trigger the onset of a mood disorder
Psychological factors- People with few personality traits, such as low self-esteem or a negative outlook on life, may be more susceptible to developing a mood disorder.
Environmental factors- exposure to toxins or pollutants can impact brain function and lead to the development of mood disorders.
It’s important to note that mood disorders are complicated psychological conditions and can be caused by a combination of these factors. Additionally, not everyone who is suffering from mood disorder has these factors as the cause.
How is mood disorder treated?
Mood disorders can be effectively treated with a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The treatment technique will depend on the type and severity of the mood disorder, as well as the individual’s preferences and needs. Here are some common treatment options for mood disorders:
Medication: Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medications are commonly used to treat mood disorders. It’s important to follow the prescription provided by a mental health specialist psychiatrist regarding medication and dosage.
Therapy: Different types of therapy, for instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), can help individuals learn coping strategies, improve mood, and change thought patterns.
Light therapy: This treatment include sitting in front of a light box to mimic the effects of sunlight and improve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Support groups: Becoming a member of a support group may give people a sense of belonging and make them feel less isolated.
Everyday tips for patients with mood disorder
Living with a mood disorder can be hard, but it is not impossible to manage. If you or someone you know is dealing with such a condition, here are 15 useful tips:
- Make sleep a priority
- Keep a mood diary
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Take up exercising
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Ensure you have a good support system in place
- Take your medication as prescribed
- Don't self-medicate
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Stay away from negative people
- Spend time outdoors
- Try to maintain a routine
- Don't isolate yourself
- Be patient with yourself and the recovery process
