Facts to Know About
Mood Disorders

Experiencing ‘highs and lows” in life is normal. When these turn “very low and very high” on most days in your, or a loved one’s, life, however, don’t take it lightly because it could be a symptom of a mood disorder.

John Hopkins Medicine defines a mood disorder as “a health class that health professionals use to broadly describe all types of depression and bipolar disorders.” These affect about 9.5 percent or 20.9 million American adults aged 18 and older, says the 2005 National Comorbidity Survey-Replication study. The most common of these is depression, but also include dysthymia and substance-induced mood disorders. According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading emotional issue for Americans of all ages.

Mood disorders are treatable, but you cannot win control them without the empowerment that enlightenment can bring. Understanding your mood condition is critical. The more knowledge you have may encourage you to proactively seek help from the right professional, paving the way to your improved functioning.

Here are some important facts about mood disorders that are worthy to know:

  • It used to be misunderstood. People who had mood disorders were not understood, which caused shame to those who had them and to their families. It was also once thought to have no treatment, with most treatments having been developed more recently in the past 50 years or so. What many do not know then is that it doesn’t only weigh down a person emotionally. Mood disorders can also increase a person’s vulnerability to medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart diseases.
  • It is a condition. The “roots” of mood disorders are unclear. Scientific research shows that it has no single confirmed cause, but it is related to the imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The imbalance could be triggered by a genetic factor, an illness, hormonal changes, or substance abuse. These are the basic premises why mood disorders are regarded as conditions that require treatment.
    Mood disorders aren’t something that you or a loved one can shake off without professional help. And they aren’t something an affected person or their families must be ashamed about.
  • The non-specific symptoms can be difficult to recognize. There are no specific symptoms or tests that would indicate a mood condition. Thus, these are especially difficult to recognize, especially among children and teens. Confused, children may exhibit behaviors that aren’t exactly symptom-like, such as tantrums or grumpiness. Usually temperamental, moodiness isn’t really something unusual for many adolescents. Many older adults suffering from depression are also often missed because they are naturally mellowed and sleeping less at this stage in their lives. The key to recognize early symptoms is to pay attention to sudden changes in behavior.
  • There are “benchmark” symptoms to note. Though the symptoms are nonspecific, take note that there are the usual symptoms. PsychGuides share these emotional and physical symptoms:

Emotional Symptoms of Mood Disorders:

  • Thoughts of and attempts at suicide
  • Loss of interest in activities that were pleasurable in the past
  • Unyielding anxiety, sadness or feelings of emptiness
  • Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or guilt
  • Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

Emotional symptoms of mania include:

  • Prolonged periods of elation
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability, agitation or excessive energy
  • Feelings of grandiosity
  • Impulsive, risky or hedonistic behavior

Physical Symptoms of Mood Disorder:

  • Decreased energy or fatigue
  • Headaches, body aches, pains, cramps or digestive problems
  • Difficulty remembering details, making decisions or concentrating
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Excessive sleeping or insomnia

Physical symptoms of mania include:

    • Racing thoughts and jumping from one idea to the next
    • Pressured or rapid speech
    • Increased goal-directed activities
    • Being easily distracted
    • Insomnia

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  • Mood disorders make you more prone to other medical and emotional conditions. Medical research increasingly shows that these emotional conditions can increase you or your loved one’s risk for certain ailments; such as diabetes and heart disease.
    Additionally, mood disorders can make you more vulnerable to other emotional conditions, such as anxiety. These associations emphasize the importance of seeking treatment before it takes a turn for the worse and becomes even more complicated.
  • Mood disorders have short-term and long-term effects. Aside from putting you more at risk for emotional and physical health issues, mood disorders can alienate you from the people you care for, if not destroy a relationship. Mood disorders may also prevent you from pursuing your studies, work and other aspirations. With mania, you may have a higher tendency to hurt yourself or squander your resources while engaging in risky or reckless behavior.
  • Mood disorders can’t be prevented. There are really no known ways to prevent or lower the chance of developing a mood disorder. However, early diagnosis can help in treating or managing its symptoms and complications; so that normal functioning can be restored, allowing for your improved quality of life. If the condition “runs in your family” or you are genetically predisposed, you can proactively seek help early from a therapist or counselor, particularly when you are struggling with emotional issues.
  • The symptoms can be treated. The breakthroughs in neuroscience are providing an effective basis for the treatment and management of mood disorders. There are advanced gene studies aiming to identify the critical factors to predict treatment reaction, thereby improving the personalization of the treatment approach. There are advanced methods and devices that can help better the diagnosis and treatment processes. With or without these advances, psychotherapy can lead to the effective treatment of the symptoms.
  • The state of research about mood disorders is in high gear. The many years of basic research are paying off. More innovative diagnostic methods and treatment approaches, such as collaborative-based and telemedicine, are being developed to improve the quality of emotional health care. Genetic studies are being pursued, not only to treat mood disorders, but also to predict vulnerabilities for prompt diagnosis and treatment. These studies can especially help those people whose symptoms are difficult to recognize – the children, teens and older adults.

The picture that all these facts can paint in your mind may seem very grim, so here’s the good news. The outlook is positive for understanding and treating mood disorders with treatment and early recognition of symptoms. There are many ways to treat mood disorders, so you can enjoy a full and productive life. One of the best ways to defeat mood disorders is to seek help from a licensed therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – West Fayetteville Office – Fayetteville, NC.

A treatment plan created and implemented by someone who understands mood disorders is among the best ways to decrease your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Remember, it isn’t your fault if you have a mood condition; and above all, you are not powerless over it either. You have the power to make things better in your life. Understanding your mood disorder is a very good start, as it will take you to the path of treatment in the hands of a trustworthy therapist contracted with Carolina Counseling Services– Fayetteville (West), NC. Call, text, or email to get started.

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