6 Common Mood Disorders

Mood disorders come in many forms. In fact, the term ‘mood disorder’ is used to describe a category of mental health issues that show themselves by affecting a person’s mood and sense of well-being.

What causes mood disorders?

Unlike the flu or a broken bone, there is no single identifiable cause of mood disorders. This class of mental illnesses is thought to be the immediate result of an imbalance in a patient’s brain chemistry. The imbalance itself could be caused one of many things, the most common being:

• •Hereditary conditions
• •One or more traumatic experiences
• •Substance abuse
• •Some types of medication
• •Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
• •Deprivation
• •Different kinds of loss: Bereavement, job loss or a broken relationship can also cause mood disorders

There are several mental illnesses that fall under the category of mood disorders. They vary in their severity. Here are a few of the most common disorders:

1. Dysthymia

This is a mild form of depression whose symptoms are fewer or less pronounced than those observed in other disorders. It is a chronic condition that lasts at least two years without proper treatment. People who live with mild depression are usually able to function at a fairly high level. Still, such people have to deal with:

• •Fatigue
• •Lack of concentration
• •Sadness or a low mood all through the day
• •Weight loss or weight gain
• •Insomnia or oversleeping

Although a person with mild depression can slog through their life, lack of treatment can allow dysthymia to morph into major depression.

2. Major depression

The symptoms of this type of depression are much more evident. Major depression changes how a person lives their daily life, and it puts the person in a near-constant state of despair, numbness and/or deep sadness. Its symptoms are:

• •Increase or loss of appetite
• •Apathy to things that would usually cause pleasure or excitement. Things like events, hobbies, people, food or music
• •Constant low moods, sadness and anxiety
• •Insomnia or constant sleeping
• •Failure or inability to perform routine tasks like chores, errands or taking a shower
• •Aversion to the company of other people
• •Thoughts of suicide

It is important to know that even people with major depression have their happy moments. Sadly, those moments are fleeting, and without proper treatment, the person’s depression will get worse.

3. Postpartum depression

It affects some new mothers whose bodies have to deal with a change in hormone levels and having to heal while caring for a newborn. The depression can be made worse by lack of sleep, as is often the case with a colicky or fussy baby. Women with postpartum depression may feel sad, frustrated or overwhelmed. They may feel tired but still be unable to sleep when the baby falls asleep. In some cases, a woman may think of harming herself. She may even develop postpartum psychosis. If the baby blues do not go away in a few weeks, then the new mother should seek treatment.

4. Anxiety disorder

This disorder presents as a persistent feeling of dread and worry. Some people only feel anxiety when they are in social situations. Others feel anxious all the time. In severe cases, anxiety disorder comes with panic attacks.

5. Substance-induced depression or anxiety

Medication, excessive alcohol consumption or a drug problem can change a person’s physiology and brain chemistry. As a result, the person may show all the symptoms associated with depression and/or anxiety.

6. Bipolar disorder

It comes in two phases. The manic phase may last for up to seven days. Some of the symptoms of mania are hyperactivity, racing thoughts and the belief that the person can do anything. A person with this disorder will also exhibit inappropriate behavior, euphoria and speech that is too loud or too fast. Following the manic phase, is the deep depression phase that can last from days to much longer than that.

Diagnosis and treatment

Mood disorders are diagnosed with a psychiatric evaluation. Patients are treated with psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.

Reach out and visit if you or a loved one needs help

Mood disorders are not the end of a person’s life. Many people learn to manage their conditions and go on to live full, meaningful and happy lives. So if you or a loved one needs to talk, call us today.

Request an appointment here: https://futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Solutions at (803) 335-5232 for an appointment in our Columbia office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.