Mood disorders occur in many people. Most of them do not even know they have it. These disorders can affect your life. They can also affect the lives of the people around you. That is why it is vital to understand more about them. If you want to know the effects of mood disorders on your quality of life, here are the details.
What mood disorders are
Psychiatrists define these disorders as serious changes in mood. Functioning every day tends to be difficult in patients with these mood disturbances. Dysthymic disorder, major depression, and manic depressive disorder are common diagnoses. In severe cases, these fluctuations in mood tend to be overwhelming. Daily functioning almost seems impossible.
Depression
This is the most common of all mood disorders. It causes physical and mental difficulties. Depression can reduce a person’s daily performance. It can prevent the individual to continue daily activities. Many people cannot work because of depression. That is why it is an economic issue as well.
Failing to fulfill daily responsibilities often leads to a deteriorated quality of life. Depression affects work, relationships, and physical health. This brings on a lower quality of life and more disability. The growing number of patients shows the impact of depression on public health.
PDD (persistent dysthymic disorder)
This is a milder form of depression. A person with this mental disorder can still perform daily activities. But the depression does not go away at all. The patient always has a low, sad, or even a dark mood. PDD lasts for at least one year in children and at least two years in adults.
Among all mood disorders, PDD has a connection with low levels of serotonin. This natural hormone controls positive moods and emotions. Serotonin also affects the body’s functions. Traumatic events can trigger PDD. Like other mood disorders, PDD can spring from a breakup, the death of a loved one, or being a victim of a violent crime. Here are some of the symptoms of this disorder:
- Difficulty focusing
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Problems at school or work
- Feelings of isolation, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Low self-image
- Excessive or insufficient sleep
- Excessive or insufficient appetite
Manic depressive disorder
Of all mood disorders, manic depressive or bipolar disorder is the one that plays between the highest and lowest emotions. This may be the most difficult to live with. These highs and lows can affect the mental well-being of close family and friends. A depressive episode brings difficulties in performing even small tasks or making decisions. A manic episode brings irritability and racing thoughts. These abrupt mood transitions can strain relationships at work and at home.
The extreme highs or elevated energy can end in a second. Then, a depressive crash follows. There are also mixed episodes. Here, the patient seems to have endless energy but is depressed or irritable at the same time. This type of bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It is the most challenging of all mood disorders.
Dealing with mood disorders can reduce the quality of life for everyone
Mental health can be fragile for some people. That is why mood disorders occur. The cause of a specific disorder may be different than another’s. Even so, the results are always the same. The quality of life deteriorates not only for the patient but also for the people around them. Seeing a psychiatrist can help you cope and even manage your mood disorders.
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