Do you often experience sudden sadness or randomly feel extremely happy without any explanation or justification behind it? Or perhaps you have a loved one who frequently exhibits signs of impulsive behavior and changes in temperament? If you have faced such circumstances in your life, it might be a case of mood disorders.
Research carried out by the National Institute on Mental Health revealed that approximately 10% of US citizens are dealing with one or multiple type of mood disorders. The stats also highlighted that this mental health problem is more prevalent in females than males and citizens aged between 18 and 29. Additionally, a large percentage (21.4%) of people are estimated to experience symptoms of mood disorders at least once in their lifetime.
It goes without saying then that understanding this mental health concern, what effects it has on our lives, and understanding the different types of mood disorders is crucial. Learning about this subject can help those going through hardships to better spot the symptoms for mood disorders in themselves or acknowledge when their loved ones need their utmost support.
Let’s take a look at what this mental health disorder entails.
What Are Mood Disorders?
According to Mood Disorders’ definition used by many therapists, it’s a mental health condition that targets a person’s emotional state. The person suffering from a mood disorder might feel extreme happiness, sadness, or both for relatively more extended periods than others. They might also experience a sudden switch in their emotional state or behavior, which is triggered by a life event or a chemical imbalance in the brain. Although not extensively discussed here, it is pertinent to note that mood disorders can also have a genetic component to its symptom presentations.
Sometimes, mood disorders, specifically in children, such as disorders with mood swings, can be a sign of other underlying mental health concerns, such as learning disabilities. It is also a broad term used to describe all sorts of bipolar disorders and depression. The prolonged and persistent periods of this disorder can take a toll on one’s life and present issues in other areas of life, such as personal relationships or work.
How to Spot Mood Disorders in Yourself or Your Loved Ones?
There are several signs that can help you recognize a mood disorder and seek or offer assistance accordingly. The signs and their intensities vary depending on the specific mood disorder type and the specific stage of the mood disorder. Some common symptoms include irritability, aggression, hostility, changes in weight and appetite, and fluctuating sleeping patterns. However, these signs can be challenging to spot and acknowledge.
The following are the most common and easy to spot signs that you or your loved one has a mood disorder[s]:
1. You’ll See an Unexplainable Fluctuation in Mood.
If you or your loved one experience extreme highs (often called manic state) and the lowest lows (often called depressive state) in your mood and emotional state and tend to remain in that state for a longer duration than usual, you might have a mood disorder – especially if these shifts in moods are affecting your overall lifestyle and well-being. Additionally, if you’re suffering from a manic-depressive illness, you might also go into overwhelming suicidal phases.
2. Acting on Impulses Is Common in People with Mood Disorders.
During the highest highs and the lowest lows, people with mood disorders tend to act more on their impulses instead of tapping into their reasoning mind to appraise their intended actions. Impulsiveness can also mean not getting enough sleep, engaging in sexual activities that would otherwise be discouraged by the same person, indulging in substance abuse or gambling, or shopping excessively. However, it is essential to remember that impulsiveness has also been associated with several other mental health concerns, so it’s best to seek help from a professional psychotherapist instead of self-diagnosing yourself or others.
Examples of Common Mood Disorders:
Luckily, some therapies can help people with BPD to live a more thriving life. These include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidenced-based therapy approach for people with BPD. It integrates psychotherapy with group skills training. These structured sessions have been shown to help clients develop new skills and coping mechanisms to better manage their emotions and reactions. Effective therapy and collaborative efforts on part of the client can result in reduced conflicts in their relationships and improved management of mood-related symptoms.
1. Bipolar I
The highs and lows in both bipolar disorder types are known as manic and depressive episodes, respectively. A person with Bipolar I experiences prolonged and extreme manic episodes. However, depressive episodes are either not as harsh for clients with Bipolar I, or they are entirely eliminated altogether. Those who have experienced such intense manic episodes can be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, and their symptoms can be severe enough to get them admitted to the hospital. The intrusive and obvious signs make it relatively easier to spot manic episodes, without any doubt.
A person with Bipolar I may experience the following symptoms or signs:
- Risky behaviors
- Poor sleep
- Feelings of euphoria (extreme happiness)
- Trouble concentrating
- Restlessness
- Exceptional energy
2. Bipolar II
A person with Bipolar II, on the other hand, experiences hypomanic episodes, which are not as severe as the manic episodes of a person with Bipolar I but occur at least once. However, the depressive episodes are extremely major for clients with Bipolar II, and they last approximately two weeks, if not more. It’s common for people to get a misdiagnosis of Bipolar II as depression, especially when there’s no case of hypomanic episodes because the depressive symptoms are typically significant when a person seeks professional help and thus become the focus.
The following are the common symptoms of Bipolar II:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Changes in eating habits and appetite
- Changing sleeping habits
- Trouble concentrating
- Tiredness
- Irritability
Why and When You Should Seek Professional Help
Since mood disorders are relatively more challenging to spot, it’s best to seek professional help if you think you or someone you know has a mood disorder, especially, because symptoms can deteriorate a person’s quality of life. Additionally, all your speculations and concerns can be answered once you’re professionally diagnosed. Also, therapeutic methods such as medications for mood disorders may be a topic of discussion.
If you’re in New York, there’s someone to lend a considerate ear to you while helping you develop evidenced-based techniques to help you better manage mood disorder. Shalini Singh is a psychotherapist in New York who offers online mental health counseling services to clients looking for individual or couple therapy sessions. Call 929-368-2642 for an nitial screening session if you think you have a mood disorder, and get on the path to recovery from the comfort of your home.
Reference:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-mood-disorder