Have you ever felt sadness, fear, and loneliness? How often do you think that you cannot carry out the daily life functions? You might be suffering from Mood disorder, a common mental issue that results in a significant disruption in mental stability. But if you treat this mental illness on an early basis, you can recover and enjoy your well-being.
This article is a complete guide to Mood disorders. After reading this comprehensive article, you will understand what mood disorder is and the main symptoms. Moreover, you will also get a complete idea regarding the most effective treatment options. So let’s read it now!
What are Mood disorders?
‘’Mood disorders are the group of mental health disorders that disrupt the person’s emotional state. Individuals do not feel control over their minds and feel disconnected from actual life conditions and mental states. In addition, mood disorder involves a prolonged period of sadness, anxiety, or depression. In addition, individuals do not feel pleasure or interest in any activity and face difficulty in performing the day-to-day activities.’’
Mood disorder is a type of mental health condition that is characterized by persistent sadness, fear, fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and reduced energy levels. A group of mood disorders results in individuals’ emotional instability. In addition, they consider themselves worthless and think they can not achieve their goals. For each type of mood disorder, their response is varied. Moreover, affected individuals face difficulties in different areas of their lives. They are unable to maintain their relationship with their loved ones.
What is the Prevalence of Mood disorders?
Various recent studies have reported that approximately 21.4% of US adults suffer from mood disorders at any point in their lives.
Any individual can suffer from mood disorder irrespective of their age and gender. Children, adolescents, and adults can experience the onset of the symptoms of mood disorder at any phase of their life. However, females are more prone to suffer from mood disorders as compared to others.
Furthermore, the onset of the symptoms of mood disorder usually starts in the teenage years. If the symptoms are not treated on time then they persist to the adulthood stages. Therefore, effective treatment options are essential to prevent or treat the symptoms of mood disorders.
What are the different types of Mood disorders?
There are multiple types of mood disorders that exhibit diversity in different ways. Some common types of mood disorders are as follows:
1. Major Depression
Major depression is the most common type of mood disorder. It is also named as the major depressive disorder or clinical depression. Individuals dealing with major depression remain sad and do not feel happiness in anything. Other common symptoms of major depression include a sense of fatigue and hopelessness. By considering the duration of the symptoms, this type of depression can be easily identified. If you are having these symptoms for two weeks or more then it means that you are having major depression and you need effective treatment.
Other types of Major Depression
There are also other different types of depression which include:
I. Persistent depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder is also named as dysthymia. As compared to the other depression types, this type of depression is chronic. However, persistent depressive disorder is less severe as compared to major depressive disorder. Moreover, the period of stress or anxiety is comparatively longer than other types of depression. If you have the symptoms of depression for two years or more then you are the victim of persistent depressive disorder. In addition, the severity of the symptoms usually gets reduced with the passage of time and individuals also learn to adopt different coping strategies.
II. Postpartum and Prenatal depression
Postpartum and prenatal depression are the two major types of perinatal depression. The depressive symptoms can appear in females during and even after the pregnancy. If the depression occurs during the pregnancy or developmental stages then it is referred to as prenatal depression. However, if the onset of depression symptoms occurs after the newborn’s birth then the depression is named as the postpartum depression. Each type of depression negatively affects the mental state of females and their loved ones.
III. Seasonal affective disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at the time of specific seasons of the year. Most people feel sadness during the winter and fall. Throughout that period, they did not feel happy and also had reduced interest in doing anything. Their mood and emotional state get back to normal as this season ends. Most of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder usually show a resemblance to the symptoms of depression. However, the major difference is that the symptoms appear and vanish according to the seasons.
Iv. Psychotic depression
Psychotic depression is a severe form of depression. It involves the symptoms of psychosis which include most often hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking behavior. In addition, individuals do not feel a connection with reality and remain lost in their thoughts and imagination. They also face issues in focus or concentration and therefore do not easily make decisions due to their distorted thought patterns.
2. Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is another major type of depression and mood disorder. This mental illness involves extreme mood swings or fluctuations. At one time, individuals feel happy while on the other hand, they feel extreme sadness and lower energy levels. These are called the episodes of bipolar disorder which are named manic and depressive episodes. If both episodes occur at the same time, then the condition is referred to as the manic episode.
Symptoms of Bipolar disorder
The symptoms of both manic and depressive disorders are different for each individual. Moreover, the response towards each symptom is also varied.
Common symptoms of Manic episodes
- Extreme levels of energy
- Irritable mood
- Inflated self-esteem
- Racing thoughts
- Highly impulsive behavior
Types of Bipolar disorder
The following are the major types of Bipolar disorder:
Bipolar disorder I
Bipolar disorder is also named as manic depression. Individuals suffering from this type of bipolar disorder usually have elevated moods that last for seven days or more. Most of the individuals also experience one or more episodes of mania. In some individuals, some symptoms of depression also occur and it overall affects the life functioning of the individuals. For the diagnosis, the symptoms of mania are sufficient and depression symptoms are not required for the diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder II
This type of bipolar disorder involves depressive episodes. However, it also involves at least one episode of a hypomanic period.
Cyclothymic disorder
This type of bipolar disorder involves mood swings and also the symptoms of both depressive episodes and hypomania.
3. Other common types of Mood disorders are as follows:
I. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a common mental illness that is common in children and teenagers. Affected children and teens have more frequent anger outbursts. Due to their extreme levels of anger and irritable behavior, they feel difficulty learning and remembering certain things. Affected children usually face complexities in their school and at home as they do not easily make friends.
II. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is common in females. Before a few days of menstruation, females have serious mood swings. They are unable to manage their domestic chores and also face multiple issues in their professional life.
III. Intermittent explosive disorder
Intermittent explosive disorder is also considered a severe form of depression as individuals exhibit more frequent anger outbursts. Their increased violence makes it difficult for them to live a normal life or maintain normal life functions.
IV. Substance-induced mood disorder
Individuals can also develop mood disorders due to substance abuse or the excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, or any other related substance. But if the individual stops or prevents the excessive absorption of alcohol or any other substance then symptoms can easily vanish.
What are the common Symptoms of Mood disorders?
As there are different types of mood disorders, there is also a diversity in the symptoms of each type or form of mood disorder. Individuals usually experience the following common symptoms of mood disorders:
- Longer phase of sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Decreased energy levels
- Low confidence and self-esteem
- Irritable behavior
- Aggressive behavior
- Sleep disorders
- Eating abnormalities
- Excessive guilt
- Issues in making decisions
- Reduced interest in sex
- Headache or body ache
Although these symptoms are highly dangerous for mental health, with effective treatment options, individuals can get relief from all symptoms of mood disorders.
What are the main causes of Mood disorders?
There are multiple causes or risk factors that can cause the development of mood disorders. The exact cause is still not known but researchers have identified the following common causes of mood disorders:
1. Changes in Brain structure
Due to mood disorders, different changes occur in the following brain regions:
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Prefrontal cortex
- Grey matter
There are some major neurotransmitters that control the functioning of different regions of the brain such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Any imbalance in the level of these neurotransmitters can alter the structure and function of the above-mentioned brain regions which in turn result from the onset of the symptoms of mood disorder.
Furthermore, the size of the grey matter also gets reduced and the amygdala becomes hyperactive due to these neurotransmitter fluctuations. Multiple studies have also reported that a reduction in the level of these neurotransmitters is directly linked with depression and bipolar disorder.
2. Genetic predisposition
Different genetic factors are also responsible for the development of different types of mood disorders. There is not a single gene that is responsible for the development of mood disorders as multiple genetic factors combine together and result in mood disorders. Multiple studies have reported that 65% to 70% of bipolar disorder and 35% to 45% of major depressive disorder have resulted from inherited genes.
3. Environmental factors
There is a range of environmental stress factors that can equally contribute to the occurrence of mood disorders. The most common external stress factors include:
- Personal loss
- Financial loss
- Loss of any loved one
- Sexual/Physical abuse
- Domestic violence
- Childhood abuse
- Natural incident
- Parental rejection
- Family separation during childhood
- Marital breakups
- Substance abuse
- Weather changes
- Trauma
- Lack of social or emotional support
- Social or environmental stigma
4. Hormonal imbalances
The thyroid is a major gland that releases some major thyroid hormones under the influence of the pituitary gland. The uncontrolled activity of the thyroid gland and the abnormal levels of thyroid hormone can develop mood disorders. In most of the recent studies, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are linked with the occurrence of the symptoms of mood disorders.
Furthermore, dysregulation in cortisol, a stress hormone can also cause the development of mood disorders including major depression and bipolar disorder etc.
5. Medical conditions
Other than mental illness, if you are battling with any other physical illness then you can also suffer from the mood disorder. Most of the individuals dealing with diabetes, cardiac issues, and thyroid problems also report the symptoms of mood disorders.
Who is at risk for developing Mood disorders?
Anyone can suffer or experience the negative effects of this mental illness. However, children or adolescents whose parents have mood disorders suffer from mood disorders. Moreover, any external undesired stimuli can also increase the probability of the occurrence of mood disorders in individuals.
If we talk about gender then the rate of occurrence of mood disorders is higher in females as compared to males. Likewise, teenagers are also more susceptible to the symptoms of mood disorders as compared to individuals of other age groups.
How are Mood disorders diagnosed?
If you know the symptoms of mood disorders then you can identify your mental illness and also the associated severity of the symptoms. However, professional mental health experts perform the following:
- Physical evaluation
- Psychological evaluation
The main role of psychological evolution is to determine the negatively altered thoughts and emotions. However, with the help of physical evaluation, they find out that the person is having any other physical illness that is causing the symptoms of mood disorder.
Diagnostic criteria
Experts perform the diagnosis by considering the following factors:
- Previous medical history
- Family history
- Symptoms and their associated severity
- Substance abuse
- Previous life experiences
What is the difference between Mood disorders and Mood shifts?
A mood shift is a temporary change in emotions for a shorter time -period. Any individual can experience mood shifts any time of the day and also recover easily. However, mood disorder on the other hand is a mental illness that involves the prolonged phase of mood swings that gets severe with the passage of time if left untreated. Individuals face difficulty in counteracting everyday situations.
How are Mood disorders treated?
Different treatment options are effective for mood disorders and individuals can get relief from the symptoms and live a happier life. The most common therapeutic options are as follows:
1. Medications
Different medications are recommended by professional mental health experts to manage the symptoms of mood disorders such as:
- Antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
I. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of antidepressants that work against all forms of depression. They increase the level of serotonin in the brain which in turn controls the mood swings and controls negative behavior of individuals.
II. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
These antidepressants elevate the level of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain to diminish the symptoms of mood disorders.
III. Tricyclic antidepressants
These medications prevent the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Other useful medications include:
- Atypical antidepressants
- Serotonin modulators
2. Psychotherapy for Mood disorders
Psychotherapy is the most common and useful treatment of mental health disorders including mood disorders. Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy as it involves the direct interaction of mental health experts and individuals suffering from mood disorders. Experts first take a deep analysis of the mental state of individuals and then develop a strategy that works for each individual. Their main goal is to first identify the negative thought patterns and then alter them so individuals acquire emotional stability. Mental health professionals guide individuals on how they can overcome their symptoms of mood disorders and live a normal stress-free life.
Types of Psychotherapy for the treatment of Mood disorders
I. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy and evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment. Multiple studies have reported the significance of cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of mood disorders.
II. The Main components of Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Identification of the negative, intrusive, and undesired thoughts
- Identification of the triggers of mood swings or alterations
- Teaching individuals different coping skills
- Positive changes in the behavior associated with the mood
- Implementation of coping and adaptive strategies to prevent mood disorders
Experts conduct different therapy sessions for cognitive behavioral therapy. After evaluating the thought patterns and recognizing the distortions and their causes, they guide the individual on how they can change their beliefs and thoughts. Ultimately, individuals learn multiple things, develop social skills, and regain their confidence and self-esteem. They employ their social skills to productively participate in social gatherings and also face their fears. Moreover, they also challenge the undesired situations. During cognitive therapy sessions, individuals also learn multiple relaxations as well as stress-management techniques and become more capable people to defeat their mental challenges.
III. Dialectical behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy is the type of psychotherapy and also the most effective component of cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy is useful for those individuals who are facing difficulty in their lives due to the extreme emotional intensity. Experts provide them with guidance on how they can overcome the severity of the severe emotional effects of mood disorders.
IV. Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is specifically used for the identification of the major psychological factors that result in emotional instability and the linked negative behavior. Moreover, individuals can get an idea regarding their unconscious mental state and learn different coping strategies.
3. Brain stimulation therapy for Mood disorders
I. Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is also used for the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, and other types of mood disorders. In this therapy, the brain undergoes mild electric stimulation to develop a brief period of seizures. This therapy is highly safe for individuals and is only utilized when traditional therapies do not provide the desired results. Electroconvulsive therapy is normally performed as an outpatient procedure to treat mood disorders.
II. Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an advanced therapy that is used for the treatment as well as prevention of mood disorders. This therapy is non-invasive as it does not involve the use of drugs and is not harmful to the brain. In this therapy, a magnetic coil is attached to the scalp of individuals. The magnetic coil then generates mild electric impulses in the brain. The mild stimulation results in the excitability of neurons which improves the structure and function of different brain regions.
III. Vagus nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation is also a therapeutic technique that involves the generation of electric impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve. This stimulation also exerts a positive influence on the functioning of different brain regions.
4. Phototherapy/Light Therapy
As the name indicates, phototherapy involves the exposure of individuals to bright light to elevate low mood. This therapy is mostly effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
5. Family therapy
Each individual battling with the symptoms of mood disorders always requires emotional support from loved ones. If you or your loved one is dealing with the same issue then always remember that you can easily recover with your family support.
6. Complementary therapies for Mood disorders
Complementary therapies are those therapies that are used along the standard therapies but are not considered as the standard. However, they can improve the well-being of individuals.
The most common complementary therapies which are used for the treatment of depression are as follows:
I. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the oldest treatment that was mostly used by the Chinese. In this technique, needles are inserted in different strategic regions of the body which generate a specific pressure that is useful for the treatment of pain.
II. Massage therapy
Massage therapy is also beneficial for the treatment of mood disorders as it involves the rubbing, tapping, and stroking of the body’s soft tissues. During massage therapy, different soothing and calming hormones are released which include serotonin and endorphins.
III. Biofeedback
Biofeedback is also named as the neurofeedback treatment. This treatment is also reported effective for the treatment of all types of mood disorders. This involves the treatment of altered brain wave patterns to prevent the symptoms of mood disorders.
IV. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is also called hypnotherapy. This is effective for the treatment of mood disorders as it results in relaxation and stress management.
7. Lifestyle modifications
If the symptoms are not severe or you are at the initial phase of the symptoms then you can protect yourself with the help of some effective lifestyle changes.
Self-care techniques
I. Healthy diet
A diet full of nutrients is vital to protect both physical and mental health. Add some protein, carbohydrates, and essential fats to your diet. Moreover, avoid processed food and prefer the intake of organic food products if you want to remain mentally active and healthy.
II. Sufficient sleep
If you are not getting adequate sleep then you will never feel fresh and remain inactive, lazy, or tired throughout the day. Try to sleep and wake up on time to protect your brain from the negative effects of sleep issues.
III. Physical workout
Your brain also requires normal healthy blood flow. If you stretch your body or perform any physical workout then your body muscles will remain relaxed. Moreover, the blood supply to the brain also increases and you will feel more mentally relaxed.
Iv. Practice mindfulness techniques
Depressed individuals spend their time thinking about their past or future and do not remain in the present. There are multiple mindfulness techniques that help in relaxing the mind and soul as individuals learn to remain and enjoy the present moments. The most common types of mindfulness techniques include yoga, meditation, and other stress management techniques.
Can Mood disorders be prevented?
There are not any guaranteed ways to prevent the occurrence of mood disorders but early diagnosis or early intervention and the most suitable treatment options are helpful for reducing the severity of the symptoms of mood disorders including major depression and bipolar disorder.
What are the benefits of Early intervention for Mood disorders?
The early intervention of mood disorder exhibits the following benefits:
- Timely reduction in the severity and duration of the symptoms
- Reduction in need for intensive treatments
- Improved long-term prognosis
- Diminished risk of secondary complications including substance abuse
- Improved efficiency in performance
Reach out to Renewed Mental Health Group to treat your Mood disorder
Always remember that mood swings that last for a shorter time period are quite normal. But if you or you know someone whose emotional instability is getting prolonged then immediately reach out for professional help.
Renewed Mental Health Group is a top and phenomenal mental health platform that is renowned for offering reliable, transparent, and highly effective mental health solutions. Individuals combating common mental health issues including mood disorders can recover from their illness through our mental health assistance. We have a team of professional mental health experts who are certified, professional, and skilled and develop personalized treatment plans that work for each individual.
Whether you are suffering from major depression, bipolar disorder, or postpartum depression, we have the best solutions for you. Our experts employ innovative treatment plans that cater to the mental health needs of each individual. What you need to do is simply schedule a consultation with our mental health experts. We also provide the mood disorder test that can help in the identification of symptoms of mood disorders. Share all your mental health issues or concerns and effortlessly recover your mental health. Take a step ahead and start your journey of emotional well-being today.
Summary
Mood disorders are mental health issues that disrupt the mental stability of individuals. Individuals do not have control over their minds and face difficulty in developing a stable association with reality due to their distorted thought patterns. Moreover, the most common symptoms of mood disorder involve persistent sadness, fear, and reduced interest in activities. Moreover, there are multiple types of mood disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, seasonal depression, etc. Only professional mental health experts can diagnose mental illness and provide early treatment. They utilize multiple therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy etc. Timely intervention and treatment are useful to prevent this mental illness and obtain mental well-being.
