Mood disorder is a term that encompasses a variety of conditions. These disorders include major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, and more. These conditions can have numerous symptoms, and they can range in severity from mild to very severe. Some people might only feel their impact in small ways, while other people might struggle to get out of bed each day.
Many people are not aware that mood disorders are common and might not connect the symptoms that they are having with a mood disorder. Only 5% of people who are experiencing mood disorder symptoms are actually being treated for these conditions. It is always a good idea to visit your doctor if you think that you might have a mood disorder that is negatively impacting your daily life.
Mood disorders often respond very well to combined treatment methods which include medication and mental health care, but a correct diagnosis of your condition is key to obtaining the help that you need to feel better.
The symptoms that are associated with mood disorders can vary. Some people will exhibit a numerous symptoms, while others will only experience one or two of the possible symptoms associated with these conditions. Common symptoms of mood disorders are:
The causes of mood disorders can be complex. This is often why diagnosis can be so hard. You might have a mood disorder due to:
Your risk of developing a mood disorder is higher if:
Impulse Control & Addiction Disorders
Impulse Control & Addiction Disorder Medications
Personality Disorder Treatment
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment
Are Mental Health Problems Preventable?
Diagnosis of mood disorders requires that your doctor review your medical history and learn more about the symptoms that you are experiencing. You might also be asked to provide blood tests to rule out health conditions that are causing you to experience a mood disorder as a secondary problem. There are some endocrine conditions that can predispose people to mood disorders.
Once your doctor has a clear picture of your health, they will likely refer you to a cognitive behavioural specialist or a therapist to help you manage the symptoms of your condition.
Typically, medication is used to help manage the symptoms of these conditions, and you will combine this therapy with mental health care support from a therapist or a cognitive behavioural therapist.
You will not usually be able to prevent the onset of a mood disorder, as these conditions are usually linked to prior trauma or to brain chemistry changes that you cannot control. However, you can make sure that you are eating a well-rounded and healthy diet, that you are getting enough exercise, and that you are communicating with a therapist about traumatic past life events. These kinds of self-care efforts will help to mitigate some of the symptoms of a mood disorder in most cases.
Treatment of mood disorders depends upon a good diagnosis of the condition that is impacting your quality of life. Make sure that you are able to progress through all the stages of diagnosis so that you can get the right kind of targeted supportive care that you need to attend to your mood disorder effectively.