Many people experience periods of depression in their lifespan, some can be brief encounters and others can be long and accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of appetite and negative self concept. This prolonged state is referred to as a mood disorder. Over the course of the next few weeks we'll be discussing various mood disorders of both depressive nature and bipolar nature. As usual, we encourage you to ask questions, share your experiences and comments with us.
Mood disorders fall into three general categories:
-Depressive - the individual experiences mostly depression
-Bipolar - characterized by mood swings, extreme highs (manic states) and extreme lows (depressive states)
-Dysthymia - a more moderate form of depression.
Depressive states are characterized by a minimum of five of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood for most of the day
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- A significant change in weight (either a loss or a gain)
- Difficulty sleeping or a desire to sleep all the time
- A change in activity level (either extreme restlessness or lethargy)
- Daily fatigue or loss of energy
- A negative self-concept, including feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Trouble concentrating or in making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
Bipolar states are characterized by:
- Bouts of depression as described above
- Bouts of manic characterized as:
- Abnormal or excessive elation
- Markedly increased energy
- Markedly decreased need for sleep
- Unusual or excessive irritability
- Markedly racing thoughts
- Markedly increased talking
- Grandiose ideas and schemes
- Markedly increased sexual desire
- Poor judgment
- Excessive and/or inappropriate behavior
Dysthymia is characterized by similar symptoms of depression but the symptoms are less server and they experience them more often.
