A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects a person's persistent emotional state. The two main types of mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder.
Depression involves feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or irritable, along with other symptoms like loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. There are several types of depressive disorders, including:
On the other hand, bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings between emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The manic phase may include increased energy, euphoria or irritability, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, and insomnia.
What causes mood disorders? They often result from a complex mix of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors influencing brain chemistry and function. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine play a key role.
If you or a loved one struggles with a mood disorder, effective treatments are available, including:
Early intervention with professional support leads to the best results for overcoming mood disorders. Don't lose hope - with today's treatments, most people can find relief from symptoms and start feeling like themselves again.
The key is being proactive and putting together a comprehensive management plan tailored to your individual needs. Reach out for help - you don't have to battle this alone! Support from both medical providers and loved ones makes a major difference.