Mood disorders A mood is a general feeling

Mood disorders

A mood is a general feeling about everything What is a mood disorder? Different than an emotion because a mood is not triggered by a stimulus like an emotion Moods have a larger and longer lasting effect A mood disorder is a sudden or large shift in a person’s mood that will affect their daily life Comes in 3 main types Manic disorders (extremely positive mood) Depressive disorders (extremely negative mood) Bipolar disorders (constant switching between positive and negative moods)

Manic disorders are signaled by intense and long periods of excessive happiness, joy, or feeling of power When joy is a bad thing People feel indestructible and often leads to very risky behavior Manics behave dangerously or irrationally because they think nothing bad can happen to them Often leads to substance abuse, money problems, bodily harm, or violence Easily spins out of control as mania grows

Quickly jump from idea to idea/easily distracted Abnormally increased amount of energy Lack of sleep Delusions Mania symptoms Increased risky behavior Loss of rationality Disconnected from reality Increasingly irresponsible Often irritable Become an “extreme” version of yourself Lasts for at least one week

Usually linked to a hormonal/chemical imbalance in the body Often increase of dopamine Causes Overactive or underactive parts of the brain Increased activity in amygdala decreased activity in prefrontal cortex No known direct cause

Most effectively treated with medication and mood stabilizers Treatment Often medication with therapy and living a clean and sober lifestyle It is important to keep a manic on their medication! Often times manics stop taking meds because they miss the “high” of their manic state

A period of low self-esteem, energy, and loss of interest lasting at least 2 weeks Rare but can last for years (usually just a few months) Depressed people usually have 4 depressive episodes in their lives Depression Person finds little to no joy in life, is consumed by negative thoughts and feelings, is constantly tired but may have trouble sleeping, and cannot fully connect with others Person has a difficult time doing daily tasks Linked to about 60% of suicides At least 3% of the worlds population experiences depression each year About 15% of people in developed nations will experience depression at some point in their life

Genetics or family history linked to about 40% of depression cases Childhood trauma such as abuse is strongly linked Often appears with long term or terminal illnesses Often appears with other mental illness Causes Forms of depression can be caused by changes in hormone production Postpartum depression: changes in hormones during pregnancy Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): changes in hormone production due to changes in weather (linked to lack of sunlight) Often linked to drug use (either medication or recreational) Usually appears 20 -30 years old 2 x more likely in women than men

Psychotherapy is most effective In extreme or long term cases medication might be used Often used when depression is caused by hormonal imbalance or caused by another medication Lifestyle is very important Treatment Hormone production is strongly linked to lifestyle (eating, sleeping, and recreational habits) Person must try to maintain a healthy lifestyle Avoid drugs and alcohol Exercise regularly to increase and regulate hormone production Sleep early Healthy and balanced diet focusing on fruits, vegetables, essential nutrients, and light on oils, sugars, and dark meats (chicken and fish is good but not steak or pork)

Many people live with both types of mood disorders, the mania and the depression Life on both ends Since they exist on both ends of the spectrum, they are called bipolar Consists of at least 4 days to 1 week of mania or hypomania followed by at least 2 weeks of depression While each stage must last for at least a certain period of time, they can continue far longer possibly weeks or months

Someone experiencing hypomania may seem better than normal Mania or hypomania stage Often appear more energetic, excited, and focused Are driven to complete tasks The danger is the hypomania increasing to mania Someone with mania may begin to experience delusions, hallucinations, hear voices, or develop psychosis Psychosis: loss of sense of reality While the hypomania may be fine, someone with bipolar disorder will drop into a depressive state, which will be devastating

After the rush that is the mania stage, the depressive stage is the complete opposite Depressive stage Low energy, unable to complete tasks or focus, sense of worthlessness and helplessness, lack of interest, and increased risk of self harm or suicide Since depression is easier to notice it is often diagnosed first Original diagnosis might be clinical depression and person might be put on antidepressants which could trigger a manic episode

Sometimes the depression and mania happen together Mixed affective episodes Person will feel both invincible and worthless Very high risk of suicide because hopelessness of depression is mixed with lack of impulse control of mania Often linked to substance abuse and alcoholism

Causes appear to be both genetic and environmental Causes and Treatment Family history increases chances Childhood trauma increases chances Children with ADHD may have increased chance of bipolar disorder Onset usually around age 25 Mixture of medication and psychotherapy Treatment must be for both mania and depression Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (exercise, good diet, proper sleep)

We still know very little about the causes of mood disorders We do know that moods and emotions are caused by chemicals and hormones in the body Life with a mood disorder What specifically causes the body to not produce hormones correctly can be different for each person BUT People with a mood disorder can still live productive and happy lives with treatment Help is available but must be continuously used

If someone you know has a mood disorder: Helping a mood disorder Make sure they stay on their treatment plan!! Encourage a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, healthy food, and proper sleep Watch for manic or depressive episodes and have a plan ready Don’t be afraid to show tough love If you have a mood disorder: Stay on your treatment plan!! Talk to your friends and family about your disorder and make an action plan Maintain a healthy lifestyle Avoid mood altering activities or substances Learn your triggers and avoid them (have your friends and family help you too)

Those living (or lived) with bipolar, depression, or mania