🔅 MOOD DISORDERS

– Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person's emotional state. They can cause persistent and intense sadness, elation, anger, or irritability. Mood disorders can interfere with a person's daily functioning, relationships, and well-being.

There are several types of mood disorders, such as

🔅 Major depressive disorder: This is a common mood disorder that involves periods of extreme sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness, accompanied by physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.

🔅 Bipolar disorder: This is a mood disorder that involves alternating episodes of depression and mania (or hypomania), which are periods of elevated or irritable mood and increased energy or activity.

🔅 Cyclothymic disorder: This is a mild form of bipolar disorder that involves chronic fluctuations between low-grade depression and hypomania, but not severe enough to meet the criteria for either condition.

🔅 Persistent depressive disorder: This is a chronic form of depression that lasts for at least two years, with symptoms that are less severe but more persistent than major depressive disorder.

🔅 Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: This is a mood disorder that affects some women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in the week before their menstrual period, causing severe mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and physical discomfort.

🔅 Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: This is a mood disorder that affects children and adolescents, causing frequent and severe temper outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation, and chronic irritability between the outbursts.

– The exact causes of mood disorders are not fully understood, but they may involve a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, such as:

i). Brain chemistry: Mood disorders may be related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that regulate mood, emotion, and other functions in the brain.

ii). Genetics: Mood disorders tend to run in families, so having a relative with a mood disorder may increase the risk of developing one.

iii). Hormones: Mood disorders may be influenced by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid problems.

iv). Stress: Mood disorders may be triggered or worsened by stressful life events, such as trauma, loss, abuse, illness, or conflict.

v). Substance use: Mood disorders may be caused or exacerbated by the use or withdrawal of alcohol, drugs, or medications that affect mood.

DIAGNOSIS OF MOOD DISORDERS

– The diagnosis of mood disorders is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the person's symptoms, medical history, family history, and mental status. Some of the tools that may be used for diagnosis are

1). Physical examination and blood tests: These may be done to rule out any medical conditions or substance use that may cause or contribute to mood symptoms.

2). Psychological tests and questionnaires: These may be used to assess the severity, frequency, and duration of mood symptoms, as well as the impact on the person's functioning and quality of life.

3). Diagnostic criteria: These are standardized guidelines that help clinicians diagnose mood disorders based on the type, number, and duration of symptoms. The most widely used criteria are from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

TREATMENT OF MOOD DISORDERS

– The treatment of mood disorders may vary depending on the type, severity, and cause of the mood disorder, as well as the person's preferences and needs. Some of the common treatment options are:

i). Medications: These may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or anti-anxiety drugs that help balance the brain chemicals and reduce mood symptoms. Medications may take several weeks to show their full effects, and may have side effects or interactions with other drugs.

ii). Psychotherapy: This is also known as talk therapy, and it involves working with a mental health professional to explore the causes and effects of mood disorders, and to develop coping skills and strategies to manage mood symptoms and improve well-being. There are different types of psychotherapy, such as: cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, or family therapy.

iii). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): This is a procedure that involves passing a small electric current through the brain to induce a brief seizure, which may help improve mood symptoms in some cases of severe or treatment-resistant mood disorders. ECT is usually done under general anesthesia and may cause short-term memory loss or other side effects.

iv). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): This is a procedure that involves applying a magnetic field to specific areas of the brain to stimulate nerve cells and modulate brain activity, which may help improve mood symptoms in some cases of mild to moderate mood disorders. TMS is usually done in an outpatient setting and does not require anesthesia or cause memory loss.

v). Lifestyle changes: These may include adopting healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and drugs, managing stress, and engaging in enjoyable activities. These may help prevent or reduce mood symptoms and enhance overall health and well-being.

There is no sure way to prevent mood disorders, but some of the possible preventive measures are:

• Seeking professional help early: If a person notices any signs or symptoms of a mood disorder, they should consult a doctor or a mental health professional as soon as possible, to get a proper diagnosis and treatment, and to avoid further complications or worsening of the condition.

• Following the treatment plan: If a person is diagnosed with a mood disorder, they should follow the treatment plan prescribed by their health care provider, which may include taking medications as directed, attending psychotherapy sessions, and monitoring their mood and progress.

• Seeking support: If a person has a mood disorder, they should not isolate themselves or feel ashamed of their condition. They should seek support from their family, friends, or other people who understand their situation, such as support groups, online communities, or helplines.

• Learning coping skills: If a person has a mood disorder, they should learn and practice coping skills that can help them manage their mood symptoms and improve their well-being, such as relaxation techniques, positive thinking, problem-solving, or assertiveness.

▶️ Can children have mood disorders too?

– Yes, children can have mood disorders too. Don't we have to care about their mental health too? From childhood, some individuals may have persistent and intense sadness, elation, anger, or irritability. Mood disorders can interfere with a child's daily functioning, relationships, and well-being.

– The exact causes of mood disorders in children are not fully understood, but they may involve a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, such as brain chemistry, genetics, hormones, stress, or substance use. The diagnosis of mood disorders in children is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the child's symptoms, medical history, family history, and mental status. Some of the tools that may be used for diagnosis are physical examination, blood tests, psychological tests, questionnaires, and diagnostic criteria.

The treatment of mood disorders in children may vary depending on the type, severity, and cause of the mood disorder, as well as the child's preferences and needs. Some of the common treatment options are medications, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and lifestyle changes.

There is no sure way to prevent mood disorders in children, but some of the possible preventive measures are seeking professional help early, following the treatment plan, seeking support, and learning coping skills.