Understanding Mood Disorders, Types, and Symptoms

Mood disorders are a category of a mental health diagnosis that involves disturbances in emotional expression, thought processes, and behaviors. It dramatically impacts the daily life and well-being of the individual. 

Understanding the disorders of mood conditions will assist individuals in seeking appropriate treatment and support. You can get professional treatments from centers like D’Amore Healthcare as they provide personalized care tailored to individuals' needs and help them overcome mood disorders. Let us now understand what mood disorders are and the common types of mood disorders.

Defining Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are replicated through persistent or recurrent changes in mood that interfere with the daily functioning of a person. These changes range from extreme sadness and hopelessness to euphoria and irritability. Mood disorders, quite often, run along with physical symptoms such as low energy, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.

Common Types of Mood Disorders

1. Depression

Depression is hailed as a pervasive shadow in which the life of an individual is engulfed. This pervasive sadness, an empty feeling, or a feeling of hopelessness may go on for weeks or even months. Apart from being in turmoil, depression also manifests physically. Activities found pleasurable earlier begin to be burdensome; all interest is lost, replaced by persistent fatigue, and basic tasks seem overwhelming. It becomes hard to concentrate on things, and troubles in working performance or school arise. 

Sleeping habits also change; some individuals sleep too little, while others sleep a lot. Appetite can be highly compromised, leading to extreme gain or loss in weight. Depressive states often make one experience the feeling of worthlessness and self-guilt. It may be hard for a person to establish a motive to seek help. They may even have intrusive images of death or suicide in more serious cases.

2. Post-partum Depression

Postpartum depression does not discriminate. It can hit any woman after childbirth, no matter the background or amount of preparation. While one might expect feelings of joy at the arrival of a newborn, the exact opposite can be true of some women. This can include emotional symptoms found in general depression, such as feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. 

However, postpartum depression may also involve difficulty in bonding with the baby, a factor that is upsetting to a new mother. There will be a loss of interest in activities, fatigue, changes in appetite and sleep, and even thoughts about harming oneself or the baby. The sooner, the better, since postpartum depression will surely affect the critical bonding period of mother and child.

3. Bipolar Disorder Type 1 & Type 2

Bipolar disorder is a psychotic illness where a person is suffering from extreme mood swings that fling them onto an emotional rollercoaster. The main difference between the two major types, Bipolar Disorder Type 1 and Type 2, concerns the intensity of the elevated mood state.

• Bipolar Disorder Type 1: There are distinct episodes of mania and depression. Mania is a period of abnormally elevated mood with associated increased energy and racing thoughts. Individuals may become impulsive, have a decreased need for sleep, and show a grandiosity, an inflated sense of self-importance. This is the flip side of depression, which has all its debilitating symptoms.

• Bipolar Disorder Type 2: This is a form in which individuals experience episodes of hypomania and depression. Hypomania shows some symptoms but to lesser degrees. Individuals with Bipolar Disorder Type 2 may feel periods of being energetic, productive, and talkative, though not to such an extent as those suffering from full-scale mania.

4. Complicated Grief

Grief is a natural response to a loss. However, for some people, this process of grieving complicates and interferes with one's life and loses their ability to move on with life. This is known as complicated grief. The overwhelming feelings of intense sadness, anger, and feelings of guilt that follow a normal course of grief are long-lasting in complicated grief. 

Individuals cannot face the loss of a loved one. They tend to avoid thoughts of the deceased and sometimes become numb or emotionally distant from the world. It becomes hard to concentrate, affecting daily functioning as people cannot cope with the emotions. At times, even death or suicidal ideas come to mind. Although grief is a part of the healing process, complicated grief will need professional support to help these individuals work out their loss and return to a healthy emotional state.

Mood disorders affect one's life so drastically. Treatment is necessary if either you or someone you know shows symptoms of a mood disorder. There are various treatment options like therapy treatments and medication that allow individuals to cope with their symptoms and work towards living a more normal life. 

Related Article:

How To Support A Friend With Bipolar Disorder

Getting Compassionate Care For Bipolar Disorder Starts With Finding The Right Therapist