Mood Disorders: Exploring The Depths of Emotional Turmoil

Introduction

Mood disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that mainly affect an individual’s mood disturbances and can significantly impact one’s emotional state. An individual going through mood disturbances may feel persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or extreme fluctuations in mood. Generally, the symptoms of mood disorders vary from low energy and loss of interest to manic episodes. The two types of mood disorders are depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Mood disorders refer to a collection of conditions that primarily influence a person’s mood, causing effects on their emotional well-being. When someone experiences mood disturbances, they may endure feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or intense mood swings. The symptoms of these disorders can range from energy levels and loss of interest to episodes of energy. There are two types of mood disorders: disorder and bipolar disorder.

What exactly is a Mood Disorder?

A mood disorder is a health condition characterized by disruptions in an individual’s mood. If you find yourself regularly experiencing highs and lows over prolonged periods, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the underlying causes behind these fluctuations, as they may be indicative of a mood disorder. Such conditions encompass symptoms that impact an individual’s mood, thoughts, behavior, and overall functioning.

Common examples include disorder, bipolar disorder (which involves alternating periods of depression and mania), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (associated with menstrual cycles), and disruptive mood regulation disorder (chronic irritability in children)[1]. Mood disorders significantly affect an individual by subjecting them to ups and downs that can impact their personal life, relationships, and work performance.

Mood disorders can also affect a persons appetite and sleep patterns. While the exact cause of these disorders is still unknown, factors such as genetics, biology, environment, and psychology can all play a role in their development. It’s important to note that mood disorders can occur at any age.

Symptoms of Mood Disorders

The symptoms of mood disorders can vary depending on the disorder. Still, they may include persisting feelings of sadness or emptiness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite and weight (either significant increase or decrease) sleep disturbances such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness, constant fatigue or lack of energy feelings of worthlessness or extreme guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions recurring thoughts about death or self-harm. For individuals with the disorder, there may be alternating episodes of depression and mania. During episodes, individuals may experience an irritable mood, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, excessive talkativeness as well as engaging in risky behaviors due to impulsivity.

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Causes of Mood Disorders

Various factors that can contribute as a probable cause for mood disorders are:

1. Biological Factors: various biological factors like genes may be responsible for the cause of this condition.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors can also cause this condition.
3. Psychological Factors: Psychological factors such as distress can also act as a responsible cause for mood disorders in some cases.
4. Medical Conditions: Certain underlying medical conditions sometimes also act as a cause of developing mood disorders.
5. Substance Abuse: Substance abuse in some cases can result in causing mood disorders or other mental health conditions in some cases.
6. Medications and Substance Withdrawal: Intake of certain medications can also cause temporary mood disorders in some cases, and sometimes it could be caused as a result of withdrawal. That’s why it’s advisable to always seek professional healthcare experts before considering any medication.

Effects of Mood Disorders

Observed effects of mood disorders include cognitive, physical, interpersonal and occupational impacts [4][3][1];

1. Emotional Effects: Mood disorders can lead to intense and long lasting emotional experiences. This may involve prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability or anxiety.
2. Cognitive Effects: Mood disorders affect abilities such as concentration, memory, and decision-making.
3. Physical Effects:  Mood disorders can manifest in symptoms like changes in appetite sleep disturbances, low energy levels, fatigue or unexplained bodily discomfort.
4. Interpersonal: Mood disorders can strain relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues. It may become challenging for individuals to maintain connections or participate in activities due to emotional instability.
5. Occupational Effects: Mood disorders can have an impact on work or academic performance. Difficulties in concentration, decreased productivity, absenteeism, or lack of motivation may hinder success in educational settings.
6. Impact on Daily Functioning: Mood disorders can interfere with activities and responsibilities.
7. Increased Risk of Co Disorders: It is common for mood disorders to coexist with other mental health conditions such, as anxiety disorder,s substance abuse issues or eating disorders.

The risk of suicide is higher, in individuals with mood disorders, depressive disorder.

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Treatment of Mood Disorders

When it comes to treating mood disorders, there are options depending on the individual’s specific diagnosis, symptoms, and needs. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is often used as a treatment method. By working with a health professional, individuals can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to their mood disorder. Different types of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help individuals develop coping strategies, identify thought patterns, and improve problem-solving skills.

United We Care offers a variety of therapy options through their app, including CBT, DBT and more. They have—experienced health professionals who provide these evidence-based therapies on their platform.

1. Psychotherapy: Depending on the mood disorder, doctors may prescribe psychotherapy; it is helpful.
2. Medications: To manage mood disorders effectively, doctors may prescribe medications. Depending on the diagnosis, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antianxiety medications can be prescribed. It is crucial to work with a psychiatrist to find the appropriate treatment and monitor its effectiveness while considering potential side effects.
3. Lifestyle Modifications: Making lifestyle changes can complement treatment approaches. Engaging in exercise, maintaining a diet, getting sufficient sleep, and practicing stress reduction techniques, like mindfulness or relaxation exercises, can contribute to overall well-being and assist in managing mood symptoms. United We Cares app includes wellness coaches who specialize in exercise, nutrition, sleep patterns, and stress reduction strategies. These coaches collaborate with individuals to create wellness plans that incorporate tailored exercise routines, diets, adequate sleep schedules, and effective stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness.
4. Support Groups: Participating in support groups or group therapy allows individuals with mood disorders to connect with others facing challenges. Sharing experiences, gaining insights from others’ journeys, and receiving peer support can be immensely valuable when managing the condition.
5. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): If other treatments prove ineffective or if the condition is severe, electroconvulsive therapy could be considered as an option.
6. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): TMS is a procedure that doesn’t involve surgery and utilizes fields to stimulate areas of the brain. TMS has shown results in treating depression.
7. Alternative and Complementary Therapies: Some individuals may find benefit in exploring approaches like acupuncture, yoga, meditation or herbal supplements. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider and ensure that these choices are supported by evidence-based treatments when making decisions about your health.

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Conclusion 

Mood disorders are health conditions that require a comprehensive approach for effective management. Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Seeking help is vital; with support, individuals with mood disorders can experience improved well-being. It’s a process that necessitates long-term management and self-care practices to maintain stability and prevent episodes.

United We Care is a wellness platform offering access to a curated list of experts, tools, and resources. Its comprehensive support can provide assistance to individuals navigating mood disorders. Help them improve their mental well-being.

References

[1] M. Merritt, “Mood disorders: Evidence-based integrated biopsychosocial treatment of major depressive disorder,” in Cognitive Behavioral Psychopharmacology, Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2017, pp. 39–59.

[2] “Mood disorders,” Mayo Clinic, 29-Oct-2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mood-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20365057. [Accessed: 07-Jul-2023].

[3] S. Sekhon and V. Gupta, Mood Disorder. StatPearls Publishing, 2023.

[4] “Mood disorder symptoms, causes and effect,” Psychguides.com, 20-Feb-2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.psychguides.com/mood-disorders/. [Accessed: 07-Jul-2023].