Mood Disorders
Unlike simply feeling unhappy, mood disorders are a persistent imbalance in your mood which affect your ability to live life to its fullest. If you feel like your emotions are running the show, you may have a mood disorder. However, you are not alone. As many as 21.4% of Americans have reported having a mood disorder at some point in their lives.
Mood disorders are unlikely to go away on your own, so if you feel that your life is being affected by a mood disorder, it is time to speak with a healthcare professional. Like most medical issues, the sooner a problem is addressed, the sooner it can be resolved, so don’t wait!
Common Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is a commonly diagnosed mental health issue that causes feelings of despair, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. It is persistent and is often crippling for those affected. Though symptoms can vary in severity, depression can affect many aspects of your life, such as your work performance, home life, and relationships.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 17.3 million Americans are reported as having at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
Depression is extremely treatable through a variety of medicinal and therapeutic treatments, so if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, contact IBH today to get help.
How can I tell if I or a loved one are depressed?
If you or your loved one display any of the following symptoms for an extended period (usually two weeks):
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Weight gain or loss
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Anxiety, restlessness, and/or irritability
- Irregular sleep habits (i.e., sleeping too much or not enough)
- Thoughts of death and/or suicide
If you are having thoughts of suicide or death, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for support. If you or a loved one is in danger of acting on suicidal thoughts, please call 911 for immediate assistance.
Bipolar Disorder
If you struggle with shifting mood, activity level, stress, and concentration levels on a regular basis, it is possible that you have Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a common mental issue, affecting about 5 million Americans. In the past, it was more stigmatized than depression because it was less well known. These days, there is much less mystery surrounding the disorder. It is completely normal to be nervous about being diagnosed with any sort of mood disorder, but without a proper diagnosis, you cannot receive proper treatment.
How do I know if myself or a loved one may be suffering from Bipolar Disorder?
If you or your loved one are experiencing a vast shift between moods relating to the following symptoms, it could be a sign of Bipolar Disorder:
- Mania: feeling extremely happy, excess energy with little need or desire to sleep, racing thoughts, overconfidence, or engaging in impulsive, risky behaviors such as spending large amount of money or engaging in unsafe sex practices
- Bipolar depression: loss of energy, apathy, lethargy, feelings of hopelessness, withdrawal from others
Additional Mood Disorders
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a mood disorder that occurs in seasons of low light and shorter daylight hours.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
This is a mood disorder affecting children who have frequent tantrums and irrational outbursts that are inconsistent with their age and/or developmental stage.
Who is at risk for developing a mood disorder?
People who have a tremendous amount of stress in their lives or have recently gone through a traumatic event are at a higher risk for developing a mood disorder. Children with parents who are affected also have a higher chance of being diagnosed. Additionally, those with physical illnesses and those on certain medications are also more at risk.