In today’s world, millions of people struggle with mental illnesses. Among those mental illnesses exist mood disorders. Globally, more than 300 million people struggle with a mood disorder. Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect your emotional state for short to long periods of time. Examples of mood disorders include but are not limited to depression, bipolar disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Depression is one of the most common mood disorders, with more than 280 million people being affected by it. Depressive episodes can make the person experience a depressed mood and a loss of interest for at least two weeks. A depressed person can also experience a loss of concentration, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, weight loss, and a loss of energy. Besides traumatic events, depression can be the result of social, psychological, and biological factors. Depression can be managed with daily exercise, psychotherapy, staying connected with loved ones, practicing the habit of writing down all thoughts, taking anti-depressant medication, and feelings, and eating balanced meals. Try to explain how you feel to your psychiatrist or loved ones so that they can understand and be there for you.
Bipolar disorder is another mood disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, behavior, energy, concentration, and the ability to do daily tasks. There are three main types of Bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder; all of which include manic, depressive, and/or hypomanic episodes. Symptoms of manic episodes include feeling jumpy, restless, talking fast, being touchy, racing thoughts, having a big appetite, and more. Bipolar disorder can be the result of genetics or brain structure and development. People with Bipolar disorder can manage the mood disorder through psychotherapy, light therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), taking antidepressants, following a schedule, exercising, and keeping a life chart to recognize mood swings.
A less common example of a mood disorder is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is usually seen as a more extreme version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD causes severe depression or anxiety for two weeks or the week when your period starts. Symptoms of PMDD include panic attacks, mood swings, fatigue, loss of concentration, cramps, bloating, long periods of anger, headaches, suicidal thoughts, and trouble sleeping. Studies show that PMDD may be caused by a sensitivity to serotonin levels changing during the menstrual cycle and other hormonal changes. Women with PMDD may manage the disorder by taking antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), birth control pills, OTC pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, practicing meditation, exercising, making healthy changes, and keeping up with a calendar or diary containing their symptoms. If you feel that what was listed above couldn’t help relieve your symptoms of PMDD, always consult your healthcare provider to discuss other treatment options.
Citations:
Mood Disorders: What They Are, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d)
Depression. World Health Organization. (2021, September 13).
Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | Office on Women’s Health. (n.d.)
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