What Are Mood Disorders?
Johns Hopkins Medicine defines mood disorder as a term professionals use to describe a mental health class encompassing all types of depression and bipolar disorders. When someone has a mood disorder, their emotional state is often inconsistent with their circumstances. This in turn interferes with their ability to function. Unfortunately, it is worth noting that people with untreated mood disorders may be at higher risk of suicide.
What Are Common Types Of Mood Disorders?
- Major Depression. A persistent sense of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in hobbies and activities that usually bring someone joy can be indicative of this if symptoms last for 2 weeks or longer. You can learn more about clinical depression and how it presents itself differently amongst young children, teenagers, and older adults here.
- Dysthymia. A long-term, chronic form of low-grade or mild depression that lasts for at least 2 years, or longer. Also called Persistent Depressive Disorder, or PDD.
- Bipolar Disorder. Someone has periods of emotional lows (depression) but also euphoric highs (mania). You can read more about Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder here. People with Bipolar Disorder benefit greatly from mood stabilizing medication.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Can be triggered in people in the autumn and winter months, when night falls earlier and there is less sunlight. One potential aide can be light therapy with artificial light.
- Diagnosis of another major health condition such as injuries, infection, chronic illness, or cancer can trigger a mood disorder related to another health condition.
- The effects of prescription medicine, drug abuse, alcohol use, or exposure to toxins can cause substance-induced mood disorders.
Who Is At Risk Of Mood Disorders?
At times, unfortunate circumstances in life can potentially trigger mood disorders. Financial issues, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, the end of a relationship, the death of a loved one–these are all situations that can exacerbate an existing mood disorder. Some mood disorders are also hereditary. For example, when someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there is an increased chance that their children or another one of their relatives will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well. It is also worth noting that the relatives of people with bipolar disorder are also at an increased risk for clinical depression.
When Should I Seek Diagnosis And Treatment?
If you worry that you or a loved one has a mood disorder, and it is impacting relationships, performance at work or school, or daily life, it may be time to seek support. Professional help can result in an adequate, working combination of talk therapy and medication so that you can feel like you are in control of your life again. If you reside in California, Oregon, and New York, and seeking personalized psychiatric care, consider Dr. Cawkwell of PBC Psychiatry. Philip Cawkwell, MD offers a 100% virtual practice so that child, adolescent, and adult patients can all receive psychiatric care from the comfort of their own homes. If you want to request an appointment, fill out a brief consultation request to get started with PBC Psychiatry today!
