Understanding Mood Disorders | Treatment for Mood Disorder Options

Mental health professionals break bipolar disorder down into three categories:

• Bipolar I disorder involves one manic or mixed episode followed by depression.
• Bipolar II disorder includes one or more episodes of depression with at least one hypomanic or milder manic episode.
• Cyclothymic disorder is a mixture of hypomanic and depressive episodes that don’t fit a specific pattern.

Unspecified bipolar disorder means the sufferer doesn’t meet the criteria for any of the other categories.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder features extreme mood swings with symptoms such as:

• Elevated or manic mood
• Increased energy
• Increased activity
• Inflated self-esteem
• Reduced need for sleep
• Racing thoughts
• Rapid speech
• Impulsive behaviors
• Reckless behaviors
• Aggression
• Irritability

Depressive symptoms can include:

• Persistent sadness
• Hopelessness
• Loss of energy and interest
• Poor concentration
• Lethargy
• Guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Suicidal ideation

Each category of bipolar disorder has its own pattern and intensity of symptoms.

Mental health professionals also break depressive disorders down into categories based on specific patterns and symptoms, like:

• Major Depressive Disorder: Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities for at least two weeks.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A chronic form of depression with symptoms present most days for at least two years for adults and one year for children and adolescents.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that occurs during the winter months when there is less sunlight.
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): Associated primarily with children and teens, and characterized by temper tantrums.
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Depression symptoms that occur within days of a menstrual period.
• Substance-Induced Mood Disorder: Mood disturbance associated with substance use and withdrawal
• Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition: Depression associated with a medical problem
• Postpartum Depression: Symptoms start within a few weeks of giving birth. Not every woman who has a baby experiences postpartum depression, though.

Each category of depression has some common symptoms, such as:

• Extreme sadness that persists
• Changes in sleep habits
• Loss of pleasure
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Fatigue
• Agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem
• Poor concentration
• Thoughts of death and suicide

Some people with clinical depression also experience physical symptoms such as loss of appetite and headaches.

Each of these mood disorders has unique treatment options. That is why getting a proper diagnosis and seeking treatment from a professional is so critical. A mental health professional will examine the symptoms and make choices based on the type of mood disorder.

Mood disorders tend to run in families. This is especially true for bipolar disorders. Research indicates it is primarily a hereditary condition.

A depressed mood can be situational, though, meaning triggered by an event such as the death of a loved one. It can also be a genetic trait.

Brain biology may be a significant risk factor, too. Studies show that the brain structure of someone with bipolar disorder is different than that of other mood disorders.

Hormones are another biological element that might put you at risk. Fluctuations in sex or thyroid hormones can cause mood changes.

Also, certain medications can change a person’s mood, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Taking these drugs for other mental health conditions could trigger symptoms.

Other mental health concerns, such as panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder, can also contribute to the depression symptoms. Someone who suffers from anxiety may feel depressed about the way it interferes with their life.

Environmental factors, or things that happen around you, might be contributing factors, as well, like:

• Trauma: Abuse, neglect, and violence carry the risk of triggering a mood disorder
• Chronic stress: Stress can have a significant impact on the body, including your mood.
• Social isolation: Lack of connection with others can lead to depression
• Substance use: Alcohol or drug use can trigger depression.
• Discrimination: Race, ethnicity, or sexual discrimination can increase the risk of a mood disorder.
• Poor resources: Lack of housing, problems, finances, healthcare, and employment can lead to an increased risk of mood disorders.

You could have multiple mood disorders at once. So, a person with borderline personality disorder, seasonal affective disorder SAD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder might have a higher risk of developing major depressive disorder.

Other mental health conditions might play a role, too. Panic disorder or lifetime anxiety disorder, for instance, could lead to clinical depression.

The mental health professional at Elevate Mental Health tailors a talk therapy care plan for each person, factoring in their underlying emotional and psychological needs. Different forms of talk therapy could be beneficial, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Combines two successful treatment approaches into one for more effective outcomes. Cognitive therapy focuses on negative and false thought patterns. Behavioral therapy deals with potentially unhealthy behaviors that result from negative thinking and mental health disorders. That could include substance use, self-harm, and frequent anger outbursts.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on improving relationships and dealing with behaviors that might contribute to mood disorders.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Effective for those with bipolar disorder, DBT teaches skills that help you control emotions and cope with stress. It also focuses on improving relationships.
• Family Therapy: Family can be a stressor or a critical support system. Our therapists work to educate members on mood disorders and improve relationships through family therapy.