Mood Disorders Effect On Normal Life

Mood disorders or mood swings are a kind of a mental health problem which includes depression of all kinds and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are also known as affective disorders. Mood disorders can be associated with psychiatric conditions or chronic medical conditions or medication side effects that affect the central nervous system. Mood swings or mood disorders can be associated with medical conditions which deprive the brain of oxygen and nutrients.

Causes Of Mood Disorders Or Mood Swings:

Though the exact causes of mood disorders are not well known it could be related to chemical imbalance in the brain. Mood disorders are also considered to be inherited with multiple factors both genetic and environmental.

There could be psychiatric as well as other causes of mood disorders.

Psychiatric Causes Of Mood Disorders:

Depression

Bipolar Disorder

Postpartum Depression

Mood Disorder due to unstable relationship

Mood Disorder due to extreme anger

Other Causes Of Mood Disorders:

Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia

Head Injury

Pregnancy

Menopause

Brain Tumors

Side effects of medication

Sleep Disorders

Puberty

Symptoms Of Mood Disorders:

Symptoms of mood disorders may vary from person to person depending upon his/her age and the kind of mood disorder the person is going through. However the most common symptoms of mood disorders are as follows-

Feeling of excessive guilt

Feeling helpless

Feeling sad

Feeling to want to die

Low self esteem

Low on energy

Unable to concentrate

Unstable relationships

Lose interest in daily activities

Unable to make decisions

No sound sleep

Thoughts to commit suicide

Sensitive to failure of rejection

Frequent complaints of fatigue, headaches etc.

If the above symptoms of mood disorders continue for a longer time and are so intense than what a normal person experiences and they interfere with the person’s interest in family and friends and his/her daily activities then there should be addressed immediately. It is advised to take immediate medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders in case such symptoms persist for long.

Types Of Mood Disorders:

The different types of mood disorders can be summarized as follows –

Bipolar Disorder:

One episode of depressed or irritable mood and one period of persistent elevated mood

Major Depression:

Decrease in interest in usual activities and a two week period of depressed mood

Dysthymic Disorder:

Chronic and low grade depressed mood for at least one year

Mood Disorders Due To Medication:

Depression due to side effects of medication, drug abuse, toxins and other treatments

Mood Disorders Due To General Medical Conditions:

Many chronic medical conditions such as infections, cancer, serious injuries etc may lead to symptoms of depression

Diagnosis Of Mood Disorders:

For a proper diagnosis of mood disorders, the medical practitioner would look into the following areas –

When did you observe the mood disorders for the first time?

Are you on any medications?

What mood swings you experience when you have mood disorders?

What makes them better or worse?

Are you suffering from any other psychiatric or medical problems?

Do you drink alcohol?

Are you addicted to any drugs?

Complications Of Mood Disorders:

If ignored and not treated timely, mood disorders may lead to serious complications such as –

Difficulties in day-to-day work

Memory loss, brain damage

Drug abuse

Risk of injury

Financial troubles

Self harm

Suicidal tendencies

Treatment For Mood Disorders:

For a specific treatment for mood disorders the doctor would take into consideration the following points –

The type of mood disorder a person is suffering from

How severe is the condition

The person’s age, general health and medical history

Tolerance towards specific medications, therapies and procedures

For an effective treatment of mood disorders the treatment should be based on through evaluation of the patient. The treatment for mood disorders may include the following –

Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy is often used to change the person’s views about himself/herself and the environment around, to identify stressors in the environment and how to avoid them.

Family Therapy

Antidepressant medications

Have You Experienced Mood Disorders or Mood Swings?

Have you or anyone known to you been a sufferer of mood disorders or mood swings? What has been your way to handle the problem? Did you manage to successfully overcome the condition, if yes then how? Do let us know in the comments below.