Everyone Feels Down Sometimes. But Do You Have A Mood Disorder?
It’s perfectly normal to feel unhappy, depressed or sad sometimes. However, when these feelings don’t go away and last for long periods of time, you may be suffering from clinical depression or another mood disorder. If this is the case, seek clinical help. Today there’s no reason to suffer from the debilitating effects of depression
Bipolar disorder is generally characterized by moods of elevation and depression. However these moods don’t occur in predictable patterns. A patient with bipolar disorder can experience several bouts of depression lasting several weeks or months each before there is a mood change. The severity of mood swings also varies from person to person.
Bipolar is a very complicated mood disorder that can take several different forms, each characterized by episodes of bipolar mania and bipolar depression.
Bipolar mania may include feelings of:
- – euphoria
- – irritability
- – increased energy
- – fast talk and racing thoughts
- – inflated self-esteem
- – little need for sleep
- – impulsiveness
Bipolar depression can include:
- – depressed mood
- – low self-esteem
- – low energy
- – suicidal thoughts
- – sadness
- – slow speech
- – suicidal feelings
- – poor concentration
Moods can even rapid-cycle with each mood lasting only a few hours. This is a very dangerous time for the patient who is depressed and has energy to act on their unhappiness.
Both clinical depression and bipolar disorder can be diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation with a skilled psychiatrist. Both of these disorders can have a genetic component although that is not necessary for diagnosis.
Often times these disorders do appear seemingly out of the blue. Some people with bipolar disorder have been shown to have physical changes in their brains which may or may not be relevant. An imbalance in neurotransmitters can play a role in bipolar and clinical depression disorders. However, there is no definitive known reason why these disorders occur.
The great news is that these mood disorders almost always can be effectively treated. And treatment is critical; more than one of every ten people with depression commits suicide. If you know a loved one who is presenting suicidal symptoms either contact a mental health professional right away or go the emergency room for immediate evaluation.
Both clinical depression and bipolar disorder can be effectively treated so that the patient can lead a productive and high quality of life. A psychiatrist will need to evaluate each case on an individualized basis and then present the best course of treatment. Depression can be treated with antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Bipolar disorder is generally treated with medicines to control the manic and depressive episodes, as well as psychotherapy. Medicines need to be properly balanced so that the patient is content and productive, without experiencing flattened moods.