Mood Disorders
A mood disorder is characterised by an extreme change in mood, either manic, depression, or it can be both. Most people can experience a down day, feeling sad or low. Whereas clinical depression, is known to be experienced for at least a period of two weeks, a sustained period of low mood influencing behaviour.
People who experience mania (manic) mood, may experience periods with little need for sleep and extremes in behaviour including periods of depressed mood. Below are descriptions of clinical depression and Bipolar successfully treated at PsychWell.
Clinical Services provided for Mood disorders:
Depression
The most common of all psychological problems is depression. Its estimated 1 in 4 people experience depression during their life time.
Depression is more than a low mood its a serious illness. Where we can all feel sad, be moody or feel low from time to time, people who experience depression have these feelings intensely. Depression is experienced over a long period of time and sometimes without reason. Commonly, people who experience depression find it hard to function and participate in activities they would normally find pleasurable.
People from all walks of life have experienced depression, politicians, elite sports athletes, high achievers and unemployed, young, elderly, male, female, wealthy and poor. Any person can experience depression, remember you are not alone.
Depressed people often describe feelings such as sadness, irritability, lethargy, disappointment and frustration. Clinical depression or major depression differs in a variety of ways.
Types of Depression:
- Major depression:
- a depression that has lasted for at least a period of two weeks.
- Psychotic depression:
- a depression includes symptoms of psychosis. Hallucinations, paranoia or delusions.
- Dysthymia:
- a less severe form of depression which has lasted for least two years.
- Bipolar:
- periods of feeling low, depressed and periods of feeling high, manic.
Depression is a Mood disorder:
Considered a mood disorder, people with major depression describe a low mood that has lasted for longer than two weeks. Individuals with depression experience a low mood for most of the day nearly every day.
Physical:
Patters of behaviour that are symptoms of depression include: poor sleep patterns, difficulty getting to sleep, interrupted sleep or sleeping too much. Appetite may decline accompanied by weight loss or weight gain. Sexual interest may decline. Concentration abilities may reduce and interests in activities you normally enjoyed may stop.
Interacting with people:
May reduce, indicating dissatisfaction in relationships with family, and other close long-term friends. Some anxiety can be experienced when doing activities in a group. Loneliness, isolation and withdrawing, people who are depressed are unable to reach out and connect with others.
If you are experiencing the darkness of depression telephone today to make an appointment for an initial interview to discuss your treatment options.
Bipolar
Or manic depression as it used to be called is a mood disorder, which was given its name due to the extremes of high moods where a person is severely elated and severe low moods where someone finds it difficult to experience any pleasure.
This disorder is characterised by periods of manic episodes and low moods described as depressive episodes. These episodes can range from mild to severe, and affect how a person thinks, feels and acts.
There are also a variety of patterns with this disorder; some people may experience one period of mania and several episodes of depression. For some people there experience can be very rapid cycling and for others days or weeks.
Bipolar Disorder typically commences in the late 20’s for men and women and effects approximately 1% of the population. Every 1 in 100 people having an episode requiring hospitalisation.
Manic Episodes
Or mania, describes an abnormally elevated mood, euphoric or irritable mood state. Whereas hypomania is the term given for a more moderate form of the elevated mood.
- Irritability:
- Many people describe a rapid flow of ideas and thoughts in which people can become easily angered when others don’t seem to comprehend their ideas or schemes.
- Decreased sleep:
- Many people demonstrate an increase in energy and a decreased need for sleep.
- Rapid flow of ideas:
- Often this rapid flow of ideas and thinking happens at very fast speed. The ideas and thoughts can appear to make no sense, an incoherent message that the listener can’t understand.
- Grandiose ideas:
- Normally increase in volume leading up to the elevated stage, or mania. Usually thinking they are more talented than other people or having schemas or unique gifts.
- Uncharacteristically poor judgement:
- It seems a person’s ability to make rational decisions can become reduced, making decisions that are out of ordinary for them.
- Increased sexual drive:
- During a manic episode an increase in libido is experienced where a person may make poor decisions about sexual partners.
Depressive Episodes
Normally people experiencing a severely lowered mood. Characterised by severity, persistence, duration, and the other extreme mood state of bipolar disorder. Common symptoms of the depressive episode include:
- Persistent, sad, anxious or empty mood:
- People experiencing the depressive cycle describe a lack of enjoyment in activates they would normally find pleasurable. A persistent feeling of sadness and hopelessness.
- Poor sleep:
- Often describing sleep disturbances, difficult getting to sleep, interrupted sleep, waking frequently or lying awake worrying about day to day events or waking early in the morning unable to get back to sleep.
- Poor concentration:
- The ability to think can become slowed finding it difficult to maintain concentration and make decisions. With normal day to day tasks, shopping, or reading.
- Decreased sex drive:
- As a person becomes more depressed their interest in sexual activity becomes less.
- Thoughts of suicide:
- In a state of becoming overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and despair, a person can have thoughts of escape through suicide.
Note: a medical doctor, psychiatrist or trained mental health practitioner or clinical psychologist should only make a proper diagnosis. Please speak to an appropriate professional if you have any concerns or questions about Bipolar Disorder. Telephone today to book an appointment to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
