Mood Disorders

Changes in mood are normal. However, sometimes an individual’s mood begins to interfere with quality of life and interferes with the ability to be all one can be. Mood episodes can be divided into three areas: Depression, Mania, and a mix of depression and mania called Bipolar Disorder. Mood disorder can also be due to a general medical condition or substance-induced (medication/drugs) mood disorder. Often it is important to perform a comprehensive evaluation in order to develop an effective treatment plan so quality of life can be improved. Depression, Mania, and Bipolar symptoms are given below as well as a listing of the types of disorders that can mimic the disorder.

Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is based on both manic and depressive episodes occurring. The depressive episodes may range from minor to major expression of symptoms (see Depression). Mania is either intense mania activity or less intense episodes (see Mania symptoms below). Bipolar events can alternate more slowly between depression and mania or more quickly and this is typically called “rapid cycling”.

The Principle Symptoms of Depression Are:

• Pervasive or continuous sadness, emptiness, or depressed mood.
• Loss of pleasure or interest in daily activities.
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
• Increased impairment in normal daily functioning and/or relationships.
• Feeling worthless, guilty, or exaggerated erosion of self-esteem.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Appearance of nonspecific physical complaints.
• Changes in weight including weight gain or weight loss.
• Increased irritability.
• Sleep disturbance: Insomnia or increased sleep activity.

(For more information see "Depression"section)