When looking at the magnitude of mental health conditions affecting people, mood disorders remain some of the most prevalent. These can develop in an individual at any point in their lives, and data shows that more than 20 percent of Americans will experience one of these conditions at some point. Because of this pervasiveness, it’s important to understand these disorders.
Transformations at Mending Fences offers a path forward for anyone dealing with mood disorders. While everyone responds to various therapies in different ways, we’ve made it our mission to individualize treatment plans in order to increase the chance of success. If you or a loved one is dealing with these mental health issues, don’t be afraid to contact us today.
Mood disorders make up one of the largest categories of mental health illnesses. They cause persistent problems with sufferers’ emotional states and can be fatal in some instances. All forms of depression and bipolar disorders fall under this category. It’s normal for people to feel occasional feelings of sadness, but diagnosed conditions are far more serious.
Mood disorders present as emotional states that are inconsistent or distorted relative to a person’s circumstances. Therefore, feelings of sadness linked to the recent death of a loved one wouldn’t typically qualify. In addition to these persistent emotional problems, the conditions also interfere with a person’s ability to perform normal activities.
Among those who deal with any of these mental health disorders, 85 percent experience moderate to severe impairment. This means a person’s professional status, personal relationships and everything else in their lives could experience negative effects. Even more alarming, though, is that up to two-thirds of suicide victims suffer from mood disorders.
Because of the variety of conditions that fall into this category, it’s difficult to make blanket statements regarding mood disorders. We must look at each illness individually to completely understand its risks, causes, symptoms and potential for treatment. While many conditions fall under this umbrella, the following are among the most common.
When feelings of sadness, hopelessness or lack of motivation persist two weeks, major depression is often the culprit.
Bipolar disorder presents as alternating periods of depression and feelings of mania.
Chronic feelings of irritability or depression that last two years could signify dysthymia.
Alcohol use disorder, drug abuse, medical treatments and other substances can sometimes lead to depression.
This is one of the newly recognized mood disorders. It occurs in children up to 18 years old who exhibit frequent and unprovoked anger and irritability.
This is another diagnosis newly listed in the DSM. Five symptoms must occur to qualify and take place in the week before menstruation. Symptoms include depression, hopelessness, anger and mood swings.
Due to the serious consequences linked to mood disorders, those suffering from these conditions should seek treatment immediately. Unfortunately, this frequently never occurs. Half of individuals suffering from bipolar disorder, for instance, do not receive treatment for the condition. This is an unacceptable statistic considering the number of therapies that have proven effective.
Here are a few examples of mood disorder treatments that have been successful:
Transformations at Mending Fences offers many of these mood disorder treatments. Additionally, our clients have access to other therapies that are less common but also effective. Equine therapy, positive self-talk, sand tray therapy and special focus groups (e.g. Christian, LGBTQIA) are just a few of the other options at our facilities.
We believe there’s a right treatment plan for everyone, and this will vary dependent on the individual. That’s why we offer an extensive selection of treatments to ensure the best path forward for our clients.
The prevalence and level of impairment that accompany mood disorders make these conditions particularly troubling. While statistics show they’re more common than other mental health issues, this doesn’t make them any less serious. Even mild symptoms can lead to bigger issues – ranging from substance abuse disorder to increasingly dangerous behaviors.
Transformations at Mending Fences employs certified professionals who have committed themselves to helping overcome mental health issues. Depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions may present hurdles during therapy, but mood disorder treatment has come a long way. Contact us today to learn how to get started on the road to improved mental health.
Sources
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-mood-disorder.shtml
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtml
John Hopkins Medicine
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079239/
Treatment Advocacy Center
https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/evidence-and-research/learn-more-about/463-bipolar-disorder-fact-sheet
Dr. Amiel is a psychiatrist in Gainesville, FL, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area… Read More
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