A mood disorder is a mental condition wherein the general emotional mood of a person is not appropriate to the prevailing circumstances. Many researchers suppose that majority of the severe mental illnesses are a result of complex imbalances in the chemical activity in the human brain. Researchers also believe that several environmental factors can trigger the onset of mood disorders and other mental illnesses. In countries all across the world there is a high percentage of people who experience mood disorders. There are two major types of mood disorders namely unipolar depression and bipolar disorder.
Types of Mood Disorders
The two main types of Mood Disorder are unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. In unipolar depression it is observed that a person?s feelings of grief continue beyond a few weeks. The National Institute for Mental Health has recorded that there are around three to four million men who are affected by unipolar depression. The number of women experiencing depression is twice as much.
The exact mechanisms triggering depression is not yet known to researchers.
There are two neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrines that allow brain cells to communicate with each other have implications in depression.
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by excessive mood swings punctuated by phases of usually even-keeled behavior. This type of mood disorder generally tends to run in families. It usually is seen in a person during in his/ her mid-twenties and persists throughout life. People suffering from bipolar disorder generally go through devastating events in their lifetime including broken marriage, loss of job, substance abuse, and also suicide.
Symptoms of Mood Disorders
There are several signs and symptoms related to mood disorders. In case of unipolar depression the symptoms may include changes in sleeping patterns and appetite, inability to concentrate, low self esteem and inappropriate guilt. Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, overwhelming grief, fatigue and disturbed thinking are other symptoms in this type of mood disorder.
In Bipolar Disorder, symptoms include irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem, racing thoughts, heightened sex drive, increased energy levels and poor judgment.
Treatment of Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders in most cases can be treated with the uses of certain medication and therapy. The commonly prescribed medications for treatment of bipolar disorder include lithium carbonate, valproate and carbamazepine. In case of depression, types of cognitive or behavioral therapy along with interpersonal therapy maybe used to treat this type of mood disorder.
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