Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Created: 1999
“Recurrent
mood disorders,” “major affective disorder,” “major depression,” “mania,” and
“bipolar disorder” are terms used to
describe the most common group of serious psychiatric conditions. These conditions involve periodic
disturbances in mood, concentration, sleep, activity, appetite, and social
behavior. In the
The
most common types of these illnesses are: Major depression (non-bipolar
or unipolar depression) and Bipolar disorder. Modern treatments are effective and safe and
usually allow persons with a recurrent mood disorder to live useful and
productive lives.
WHAT IS AFFECTIVE DISORDER?
The
term “affect” refers to one’s mood or “spirits.” “Affective disorder” refers to changes
in mood that occur during an episode of illness marked by extreme sadness
(depression) or excitement (mania) or both.
“Mania” describes periods of abnormal elation and increased
activity, while “depression” describes an abnormal degree of sadness and
melancholy. The same person may have
periods of mania and depression.
Occasionally, the disease presents a combination of manic and depressive
symptoms. If untreated, these
episodes tend to recur or persist throughout life.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The
most common symptoms are changes in sleep pattern, level of daily activity and
energy, appetite, mood, self-esteem, thinking, speech, sex drive, and
interpersonal relations. In periods of
(hypomania) an exaggerated sense of well-being (euphoria) or irritability may
be experienced. The rate of thinking is
markedly increased. Intellectual
activity takes place with lightning speed, and there is great frustration with
family and friends who do not immediately accept or become engaged with such
“flights of ideas.”
During
a period of depression there may be persistent feelings of sadness and
emptiness, tearfulness for no apparent reason, or irritability and hostility
toward others. Mental speed and activity
are usually lowered; ideas are fewer.
There is a poverty of thought, and responses to the environment are
painfully slowed. Family members may be
surprised by dramatic changes in mood that seem to have no obvious association
with life events. Although nearly
everyone experiences periods of sadness as well as periods of well-being,
people with affective disorders during an episode of illness experience these
emotions to an extreme degree.
There
are two basic types of episodes - periods of depression and periods of mania.
Periods
of depression are characterized by:
·
Poor appetite and
weight loss or the opposite, increased appetite and weight gain.
·
Sleep
disturbance: sleeping too little or sleeping too much in an irregular pattern.
·
Loss of energy:
excessive fatigue or tiredness.
·
Change in
activity level, either increased or decreased.
·
Loss of interest
or pleasure in usual activities.
·
Decreased sexual
drive.
·
Diminished
ability to think or concentrate
·
Feelings of
worthlessness or excessive guilt which may reach grossly unreasonable
(delusional) proportions.
·
Recurrent
thoughts of death or self-harm, wishing to be dead or contemplating or
attempting suicide.
TAKE MOOD CHANGES SERIOUSLY. CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL!!! DO NOT THINK THAT IN TIME EVERYTHING WILL BE
OKAY. IT WON’T.
Periods
of hypomania or the more severe state of mania are characterized by:
·
Persistently
“high” (euphoric or irritable mood state).
·
Appetite disturbances
·
Decreased need
for sleep
·
Increased
activity
·
Increased
sexuality
·
Pressured speech
·
Racing thoughts
·
Loss of
self-control and judgement
In
bipolar disorder, both depressive and manic cycles occur. Usually a period of depression follows a
period of hypomania or mania, or the reverse.
Sometimes they are separated by periods of normal or near-normal
functioning.
DOES IT GO AWAY?
The
onset of the first episode of an affective disorder may not be obvious. Some people have infrequent brief, mild
episodes and do not seek treatment or even recognize that they are ill. Typically, episodes of illness are
time-limited: they come and go, last several days to several months, and are
followed by relatively normal periods of mood behavior. Without treatment, the frequency of illness,
as well as the severity of symptoms, tends to increase over the years. Less often, a person may have only rare
episodes of illness. Manic and
depressive episodes present differently in different persons, and there are
even differences in one person from one episode to the next. Do not wait for self-improvement. Seek professional help.
Prolonged periods of depression can lead to
the wish to die or even thoughts of killing oneself. The “high” periods of hypomania and mania can
leave a false sense of one’s abilities that may be difficult to give up. They may be followed by crashing into
despondency after the “high” has run its course. Decisions made during these periods are
typically impulsive and reckless.
MORE THAN 75 PERCENT OF INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM
MOOD DISORDERS RESPOND WELL TO MEDICAL TREATMENT: NEARLY ALL PATIENTS RESPOND
AT LEAST PARTLY. YES, THERE IS
HOPE!!!
For
more information about mental illness contact:
The
NAMI of Greater
312-563-0445
Fax: 312-563-0467
Email: NAMIGC@AOL.COM
Website: NAMIGC.org