Mood Disorders

What are mood disorders? In learning about these disorders it is important to know that there are extremes in the major groups that fall on a continuum from Depression to Mania. These affect disorders have a 90% chance of diagnoses of Depression, Dysthymic disorder that shows in affect of irritability or elation. In Depression there a number of ways shown and it varies for what it said in the DSM IV along with emotional symptoms like sadness and just feeling unhappy. There is a disorder known as 'anahedonism' that is a loss of enjoyment and pleasure. The patients/clients that exhibit this kind of diagnosis exhibit an apathic sense to things and show a lack of motivation that could just be the feeling of irritability of whatever is going on in their lives. In working with children and adolescents with anxiety there is or may be feeling of worthlessness. The physiological signs and symptoms as well as the behavioral signs and symptoms varies. There are sleep disturbances as in too much or too little sleep or appetite problems, again too much or too little.

Another mood disorder is what is known as 'Catatonia' that is unusual behaviors from exhibiting a lack of movement or too much movement with wild and excited movements. There is fatigue and loss of energy, crying, and there is a decline in hygiene and appearance. Other signs of this is loss of sex drive along with menstral cycle problems and constipation issues.

There are cognitive issues that go along with mood disorders also, as in difficulty concentrating and paying attention, making decisions, having a low view of self, low self-esteem, pesissism, and hopelessness. These could lead to having suicidal thoughts that can involve delusions and hallucinations with depressive themes. They also show ruminations of problems. They also could exhibit paranoid delusions, have false beliefs and perceptions.

The two major classifications in mood disorders are Depression and Dysthymic disorder, but they differ on the number of symptoms and how they presented the symptoms.

Major Depression

Major Depression as at least five symptoms that include increased sadness, loss of pleasure for at least two weeks. Professionals will need to rule out mania or hypomania. A single major depressive episode or recurrent that have two or more episodes could have Major Depression.

In working and dealing with Dysthmic disorder which is a less severe form of Depression the patient/client exhibits a depressed mood, but will need two other symptoms like more chronic feelings with a duration of two years to be diagnosed and cannot to without symptoms for two months. There are continual and long-lasting problems. There is a chance that the patient/client can have double depression that means Major Depression with Dysthymic disorder which is more prevalent in females. Half will experience an episode early onset with more experienced episodes. The average age is 20 or can happen at any age. Major Depression in children and adolescents are mainly dealing with Dysthymic disorder showing signs and symptoms of six months or more in duration that can lead this to a good prognosis. Re-occurance will happen but does cause long term disability for one sign could be low self-esteem and not caring about their appearance. There are subtypes of Major Depression that are determined by groupings.

To be continued More on Mood Disorders

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