Mood Disorders
Mood disorders feature a group of conditions that translate to severe mood changes. Some common sicknesses that fall in this category include bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, cyclothymia, and persistent depressive disorder. Some common symptoms of mood disorders include poor concentration, low self-esteem, fatigue, isolation, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, poor judgment and decision making, excessive guilt, sleep disorder, loss of appetite and weight, feeling of helpless and hopelessness among others (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). Although no precise cause exists, some of the leading factors that contribute to this condition include medical illnesses and chronic stress, life events such as trauma and other stressful experiences, isolation, genetics where the disease runs in the family, brain circuits' functional disorders, and poor coping mechanisms among others. The vulnerable group includes women mainly diagnosed with the condition compared to men, young and old people aged between 15 and 19 and 65 and 75 respectively. For the young people, the state is attributed to peer pressure and enormous expectations, while the elder experience mood disorders as a result of neglect and feeling of loneliness. People with drug addiction and abuse problems are also likely to experience this condition. People with health problems, especially those with long-term health problems such as AIDS and cancer and other mental issues, are victims of this condition. Family members of patients with the disorder are likely to suffer from the illness at one point in their lives.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of this disorder involves the analysis of a psychiatric and complete medical history evaluation which may take 1-2 years. Once diagnosed with the condition, proper treatment can curb the sickness. The following alternatives are available when treating the disease: therapy sessions which may either be family therapy, psychotherapy, light therapy, transcranial stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy (WebMD, n.d.). Mood is stabilizing and antidepressant medicines have also been used to treat the condition and have proved more effective when combined with psychotherapy. This condition is preventable through self-management and improved living conditions.
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Overview of mood disorders | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/mental_health_disorders/overview_of_mood_disorders_85,P00759
WebMD. (n.d.). Mood disorders. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mood-disorders#1
