| Mood disorder is a mental illness, more appropriately
described as a neurobiological brain disorder involving extremes in mood. Mood Disorder, also
known as Manic Depression affects many people and is one of the most common mental illnesses.
The medical name for Manic Depression is Bipolar Disorder. It is also known as Bipolar Affective
Disorder. It is one of the three major affective disorders. The other two affective disorders
are unipolar disorder (clinical depression) and schizoaffective disorder.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings. Mood disorder may be quite complex in its
variations. Each individual has her or his own unique form of the illness.
Some people have mild manias, called hypomanias, and others have severe manias. Sometimes a
person with bipolar disorder may experience delusions and hallucinations.
Most medical researchers believe that bipolar disorder is genetic. It tends to run in families.
However, unlike depression, which affects more women than men, Bipolar Disorder affects men and
women almost equally.
The onset of mood disorder is in mid-twenties and continues throughout life. Mania usually
comes on suddenly, over the period of a day or two. Untreated episodes may last from a few
days to several months. The critical symptoms of mood disorder are the elated or irritable
mood, talkativeness and hyperactivity of mania. There are episodes of depression as well. These
symptoms are severe enough to cause serious impairment in social or occupational functional
functioning. If proper treatment is not given people suffering from bipolar disorder often go
through devastating life events, marital breakups, loss of job and they might even try to
suicide.
In mood disorder or manic depressive, the person experiences symptoms of mania and depression.
Their duration and intensity may vary. In mania the person experiences irritable mood, high self
esteem, increased energy, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep and inability to make
decision. And in depression there are feelings of hopelessness, guilt and worthlessness.
The person experiences excessive fatigue, loss of appetite for food and sleep disturbances.
The patient gets thoughts of death or suicide and may even make suicide attempts.
In chronic mood disorder, mood disturbances are very predominant. The person has frequent
periods of depressed mood and hypomania, elevated mood and behavior that are not as extreme
as mania. These periods may alternate with periods of normal mood lasting as long as two months.
Studies show that mood disorder is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Before any
treatment, it is important to receive a complete medical evaluation to rule out any other mental
or physical disorders. Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness. People suffering from it
usually require treatment for the rest of their lives. People having this illness should be
under the care of a skilled psychiatrist.
Though there is no known cure, most forms of bipolar disorder are eminently treatable
with medication and supportive psychotherapy. Self-help groups can offer emotional support
and assistance in recognizing signs of relapse to avert a full-blown episode of mood disorder.
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