Mood Disorders - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

Given the higher incidence of mood disorders being reported in, it is essential that you take a closer look at the same to better understand the issue. The term mood disorder can apply to various mood disorders such as maniac disorder, anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, bipolar disorder and much more. Approximately, nearly 19 million adults, of various age groups are affected by the same, and sadly, some do not seek treatment for their condition until it becomes too late. An early diagnosis can make all the difference, and can even lead the patient to resume their normal life.

Treatment can take various forms, from regular counseling sessions to fitness regimens; one of the reasons for the differing treatment methodology being adopted by various clinics and doctors to treat this condition is that, little is still understood about this condition. If your loved one starts displaying varying moods within a short span of time, displaying all extremes from manic depression to agitation (for no reason at all), then it could well be a symptom of mood disorder. This is why it is important to consult a health professional at the earliest, since an early diagnosis can lead to cure and rehabilitation.

Given the higher incidence of mood disorders being reported in, it is essential that you take a closer look at the same to better understand the issue. The term mood disorder can apply to various mood disorders such as maniac disorder, anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, bipolar disorder and much more. Approximately, nearly 19 million adults, of various age groups are affected by the same, and sadly, some do not seek treatment for their condition until it becomes too late. An early diagnosis can make all the difference, and can even lead the patient to resume their normal life.

Treatment can take various forms, from regular counseling sessions to fitness regimens; one of the reasons for the differing treatment methodology being adopted by various clinics and doctors to treat this condition is that, little is still understood about this condition. If your loved one starts displaying varying moods within a short span of time, displaying all extremes from manic depression to agitation (for no reason at all), then it could well be a symptom of mood disorder. This is why it is important to consult a health professional at the earliest, since an early diagnosis can lead to cure and rehabilitation.

Some of the known symptoms of mood disorder happen to be –

• Feeling suicidal
• Often thinks out loud about suicide and even researches the various methods for the same
• Lack of interest in social activities
• Remains withdrawn
• Feeling unduly pessimistic
• Wild mood swings, from elation to downright pessimism
• Being hyperactive
• Being obsessive
• Being impulsive and making rash decisions

When it comes to treatment, most physicians advise a course of therapy, counseling including prescribing certain medications, with psychoactive properties. The issue though is that much is yet to be understood about mood disorders or what causes the patient to develop the same , for a specific period. If you feel that you have been suffering from wide ranging moods, and that it is interfering with your normal life, then you need to consult your physician right away.

Post assessment and diagnosis, your doctor would suggest a course of psychotherapy, counseling sessions along with prescribing certain drugs to correct any imbalance of chemicals in your brain. Apart from this, your counselors may even suggest personality building exercises as well as a healthy fitness workout, both of which are designed to trick your brain into releasing more of the 'feel good” hormone Dopamine.

Since this condition is only now being investigated in full, it is yet hard to determine what can help prevent a healthy adult from developing mood disorders. However, what most therapists agree on, is that a busy social life, with regular exercises and fitness workouts, should help the person to maintain a positive outlook. And of course, it goes without saying that it is essential that you ensure you communicate your feelings and emotions to those around you and avoid keeping everything bottled up.

Your doctors may prescribe a course of mood altering drugs to enable you to fight the long term effects of depression and to help treat your mood disorders. While these drugs on their own are not considered to be addictive, you will experience some of the withdrawal symptoms, should you stop taking the medication for one reason or the other. Some of the withdrawal symptoms include –

• Dry or cottonmouth
• Becoming more reclusive and withdrawn
• Relapsing to the ‘mood disorder’ phase
• Showing extreme irritability for no reason at all
• Being fatigued, tired all the time

These are some of the withdrawal symptoms that you are bound to face, should you stop taking the prescribed medication to help treat your mood disorder.