Mood disorders fall into three general categories; depressive which the individual experiences mostly depression and bipolar which is characterized by mood swings, extreme highs (or manic states) and extreme lows (depressive states) and dysthymia, a more moderate form of depression.
Depressive states are characterized by a minimum of five of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood for most of the day
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- A significant change in weight (either a loss or a gain)
- Difficulty sleeping or a desire to sleep all the time
- A change in activity level (either extreme restlessness or lethargy)
- Daily fatigue or loss of energy
- A negative self-concept, including feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Trouble concentrating or in making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
Bipolar states are characterized by:
- Bouts of depression as described above
- Bouts of manic characterized as:
- Abnormal or excessive elation
- Markedly increased energy
- Markedly decreased need for sleep
- Unusual or excessive irritability
- Markedly racing thoughts
- Markedly increased talking
- Grandiose ideas and schemes
- Markedly increased sexual desire
- Poor judgement
- Excessive and/or inappropriate behaviour
Dysthymia is characterized by similar symptoms to depression but individuals experiencing this disorder tend to experience less server symptoms of depression but experience them more often.
Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator
