Human beings’ emotions will fluctuate over the course of a lifetime; however, this fluctuation does not mean that a person is “abnormal” or that they have an emotional disorder. Mood changes frequently cause people to have different feelings than what they are accustomed to for a short period of time, but when someone consistently has exaggerated responses to change to the point where it negatively impacts his/her ability to appropriately interact with others, do their job, and make safe decisions for themselves (or others), this person may have a mood disorder instead of going through “normal” changes in his/her mood.
A mood disorder is a medical diagnosis that describes how an individual experiences emotional fluctuations over the life of the patient. Individuals and families frequently visit our licensed neuropsychiatry center for treatment after they have waited for an extended period of time believing that their symptoms would disappear. Knowledge regarding the specific types of mood disorders will allow the patient and family members to immediately recognize when to seek assistance for the treatment of mood disorders.
1. Major Depressive Disorder (Depression)
Feeling sad or demotivated won’t qualify as a diagnosis for Major Depressive Disorder. Individuals diagnosed with MDD feel eternally down, have lost the pleasure in things they once loved to do, avoid others socially, have become physically tired, experience difficulty sleeping or eating properly, and frequently talk negatively to themselves. As MDD progresses, it can have a lasting negative impact on an individual’s workplace performance, relationships with others, and self-esteem.
Despite how many people suffer from this condition every day, most individuals do not seek the help of a therapist because they think that only those who are experiencing the most severe symptoms need therapy. In reality, if someone is diagnosed with MDD early enough, their symptoms can reduce in severity and will be less likely to recur as well.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) is a long-term, low-grade version of depression, and while the symptoms may not appear as bad as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), they remain present for years. A person may often say that he/she/they is “always low” feeling emotionally numb and generally dissatisfied with life.
The symptoms of Persistent Depression can often appear to be emotional pain that is so familiar that they become normalized or ignored by the person experiencing them. Living with no emotional relief from symptoms of Persistent Depression over the course of years can negatively impact self-esteem, relationships, and the ability to stay motivated.
3. Bipolar I Disorder
The condition of bipolar disorder type I is defined by both extreme depressive and manic episodes. In the manic phase, a person may demonstrate many characteristics (i.e., impulsivity, excessive talking, aggression, grandiosity, over-familiarity, etc.). These characteristics go much further than the idea of ‘high energy,’ and usually cause significant issues in a person’s life (e.g., personal problems, financial chaos, occupational disruption). You can go through this article to understand what bipolar disorder really looks like in daily life.
4. Bipolar II Disorder
Hypomania and Depressive Episodes Are Common in Individuals with Bipolar II Disorder. Individuals with bipolar II disorder experience low moods (depression) and high moods (hypomania), which is less severe than mania. Because hypomanics may seem productive and/or social, many do not take notice of this mental health disorder. In addition to untreated hypomania, people with bipolar II are also at risk for multiple depressive episodes, as well as problems in their relationships and physical exhaustion.
Read more here.
5. Cyclothymic Disorder
A person with cyclothymic disorder has cycles of mild depression and hypomania that occur repetitively during long-lasting periods (e.g., years). Even though these cycles may not be extreme enough to fulfill the requirement to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their presence can create a ‘rollercoaster’ effect (with constant changes) that creates a lack of emotional stability. People who suffer from cyclothymia will usually report feelings of being emotional “unedited,” constantly changing and being inconsistent explosively in work and relationship.
6. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
DMDD is characterized by an ongoing pattern of extreme anger, irritability, and outbursts of emotion that are much more extreme than what would typically happen in a parent-child relationship. These emotions are often accompanied by difficulty concentrating and emotional
regulation problems; therefore, their effects on academic performance, family relationships, and social development are significant.
Early diagnosis and treatment with a combination of psychotherapy and medication will achieve a better likelihood of achieving long-term benefits related to emotional regulation and functioning.
7. Mood Disorder Related to Pregnancy or Medical Conditions
There are some mood disorders related to the changes in the body, through medical conditions, and events such as childbirth. For example: postpartum depression affects many areas of an individual’s life; their emotional bond with their child, their self-esteem and their ability to function in daily life, as well as experiencing feelings of guilt or shame for “not being happy enough.” We have discussed it in more detail in this article.
Why Mood Disorders Are Often Missed
A widely held belief concerning mood swings is that they are normal fluctuations between the highs and lows of emotions that will eventually rectify themselves. The truth of the matter is that while emotional changes are to be expected at times, those exhibiting symptoms such as, but not limited to, impulsive behaviour, aggressive behaviour, feelings of grandiosity, a tendency to isolate themselves from society, an inability to experience pleasure, or the constant negative self-talk regarding oneself may want to seek professional assistance in order to address their symptoms as soon as possible.
Many individuals suffering from mood disorders believe they will be able to recover without seeking treatment, however, ignoring these symptoms can result in delayed recovery and an increased risk of relapses.
How Treatment Helps Restore Stability
By obtaining an accurate and thorough psychiatric evaluation followed by an individualized treatment plan, an individual suffering from a mood disorder is able to achieve the following: Emotional Stability, Improved Relationships, Improved Work Performance, and Increased Insight.
With Medication Therapy to Maintain Stabilisation of Mood and Thinking, Individual & Group Therapy, Vocational Therapy when indicated, and Inpatient (IPD) Treatment when needed, individuals are able to obtain assistance in recovering from the effects of a Mood Disorder.
Inpatient Treatment provides the individual with a structured and supportive environment for care to be delivered in a continuous, monitored, and tailored to their personal needs.
Taking the Next Step
If you or someone you love has experienced these types of behaviors, getting help isn’t a sign of weakness – it means you’re taking steps to gain clarity, stability and overall well-being in the long run. Mood disorders are treatable, and if a person has the right support system in place, recovery is possible.
If your experiences reflect one of the patterns listed above, please contact our Neuropsychiatry Team to schedule an appointment so we can determine the best way to treat you.