Mood Disorder Thread
 

hi, if theres any i havent included or you have better information on them, please let me know and i'll change or add them!
i thought this would be a good place for us to chat, and help each other, and those newly diagnosed!
enjoy!
thanks
xxx

what is a mood disorder?

A mood disorder is the term given for a group of diagnoses where a disturbance in the person's emotional mood is the main underlying feature.

Two groups of mood disorders are broadly recognized; the division is based on whether the person has ever had a manic or hypomanic episode. Thus, there are depressive disorders, of which the best known and most researched is major depressive disorder commonly called clinical depression or major depression, and bipolar disorder, formerly known as "manic depressive" and described by intermittent periods of manic and depressed episodes.



Depression:

The symptoms of depression can be complex. They are more than feeling down, and can include psychological, physical and social symptoms, which can often cause depressed people to lose interest in things they used to enjoy. The symptoms of depression can get in the way of the everyday activities of normal life.


Psychological symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
• Low self-esteem.
• Tearfulness.
• Feelings of guilt.
• Feeling irritable and intolerant of others.
• Lack of motivation and less interest, and difficulty in making decisions.
• Lack of enjoyment.
• Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming someone else.
• Feeling anxious or worried.
• Reduced sex drive.

Depression can also have physical symptoms, which include:

• Slowed movement or speech.
• Change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased).
• Constipation.
• Unexplained aches and pains.
• Lack of energy or lack of interest in sex.
• Changes to the menstrual cycle.
• Disturbed sleep patterns (for example, problems getting off to sleep or waking in the early hours of the morning).

If you're depressed, it may affect the way you interact with others, including:

• Not performing well at work.
• Taking part in fewer social activities and avoiding contact.
• Feeling isolated.
• Reduced hobbies and interests, and difficulties in home and family life

There are a number of different types of depression, and some conditions where depression may be an important symptom.
These include:

• Postnatal depression. Some women develop depression after having a baby. Postnatal depression is treated in similar ways to other forms of depression, through talking therapies and antidepressant medicines.
• Bipolar disorder is also known as 'manic depression' and is where there are periods of depression and also periods of excessively high mood ('mania'). The depression symptoms are similar to clinical depression, but the periods of mania can include harmful behaviour where there are few or no inhibitions, such as gambling to a harmful extent, going on spending sprees and having unsafe sex.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Also known as 'winter depression', SAD is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern usually related to winter.

Major Depressive Disorder:

Major Depressive Disorder is a condition characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes without a history of Manic, Mixed, or Hypomanic Episodes. These Major Depressive Episodes are not due to a medical condition, medication, abused substance, or Psychosis. If Manic, Mixed, or Hypomanic Episodes develop, the diagnosis is changed to Bipolar Disorder.

Alcoholism and illicit drug abuse dramatically worsen the course of this illness, and are frequently associated with it. Dysthymic Disorder often precedes the onset of this disorder for 10%-25% of individuals. This disorder also increases risk of also having Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Emotionally Unstable (Borderline) Personality Disorder.

This disorder may begin at any age, with an average age at onset in the mid-20s. Some individuals have isolated episodes that are separated by many years without any depressive symptoms, whereas others have clusters of episodes, and still others have increasingly frequent episodes as they grow older. After the first episode of this disorder, there is a 60% chance of having a second episode. After the second episode, there is a 70% chance of having a third, and after the third episode, there is a 90% chance of having a fourth.


Bipolar disorder/manic depression:


Bipolar Disorder is a serious mental health problem involving extreme swings of mood (highs and lows). Both men and women of any age from adolescence onwards and from any social or ethnic background can develop Bipolar Disorder.

It often first occurs when work, study, family or emotional pressures or stressors are at their greatest. In women it can also be triggered by childbirth or during menopause.
The illness is episodic, i.e. occurs in phases but it is possible to remain well for long periods.
Typically, the key to coping with Bipolar Disorder is an early diagnosis by a qualified mental health specialist and acceptance of the condition. Severe and/or untreated episodes of
Bipolar Disorder can be very damaging to the person affected and their families and friends.

Mood swings:
Most people experience ups and down, (highs and lows). It is only when these become so extreme that they interfere with ordinary everyday activities, and cause you to behave in uncharacteristic ways, that it is called Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression. Two different names for the same thing. Between mood swings people with the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder feel and behave like anyone else with the ordinary ups and downs that anyone can experience. But the extreme highs and lows can affect not only feeling, but also thoughts and behaviour.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is an illness which has significant psychological, social and interpersonal consequences. It has been scientifically shown to have a biological base and genetic contribution just as strong as for insulin dependent diabetes. It is defined, as well as by periods of depression, by also having periods of "mania" (bipolar I) or less severe "hypomania" (bipolar II).

Manic episodes are frequently very disruptive to life and relationships. Often these episodes may be highly perplexing to family, partners and friends who do not realise the underlying cause of what is going on. They involve distinct periods of abnormally elated or euphoric mood and other symptoms such as grandiose feelings, little need for sleep, racing thoughts, unusual talkativeness, irritability and anger, distractibility, involvement in potentially harmful behaviours, and occupational or social impairment.

Depressive episodes significantly interfere with life function and satisfaction, often creating great strain on personal relationships. Changes may include, decreased interest in activities, low energy, poor concentration, irritability, disrupted appetite and sleep patterns as well as low mood, pessimism and sometimes suicidal thoughts or acts.
Sometimes a mixture of the depressive and manic symptoms may even occur at the same time - a "mixed episode." This is particularly risky as people may have the combination of suicidal despondency of depression and the difficulty controlling impulses seen in mania together. Unfortunately these "mixed states" are frequently not recognised and properly treated, even by mental health professionals.

Everyone's experience of Bipolar Disorder is different:

• Some people are more affected by depressions with just the occasional period of mania. For others, it is the other way round.
• Some people experience extreme mood swings only occasionally, with long periods of stability in between, others experience them up to five or six episodes a year or more, sometimes called "rapid cycling" manic depression, while some may even experience several mood swings in one day.
• For some people mood swings seem to be triggered by stressful events in their life, for others they appear to come out of the blue.
• For some people, the highs and lows are relatively short, and for others they may last many months.
• Some people have just one or two mood swings in their life, others have mood swings for many years, but these often get less severe as you get older.

Cyclothymia:
Is a mild form of bipolar disorder. It is defined in the bipolar spectrum. Specifically, this disorder is a mild form of bipolar II disorder consisting of recurrent mood disturbances between hypomania and dysthymic mood. A single episode of hypomania is sufficient to diagnose cyclothymic disorder; however, most individuals also have dysthymic periods. The diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is never made when there is a history of mania or major depressive episode or mixed episode. The lifetime prevalence of cyclothymic disorder is 0.4-1%. The rate appears equal in men or women, though women more often seek treatment

Symptoms
Dysthymic phase
Difficult making decisions; problems concentrating; poor memory recall; guilt; self-criticism; low self-esteem; pessimism; self-destructive thinking; continuously feeling sad; apathy; hopelessness; helplessness; irritable, quick temper; lack motivation; social withdrawal; appetite change; lack of sexual desire; self-neglect; fatigue or insomnia [1]
Euphoric phase
Unusually good mood or cheerfulness (euphoria); Extreme optimism; Inflated self-esteem; Poor judgment; Rapid speech; Racing thoughts; Aggressive or hostile behavior; Being inconsiderate of others; Agitation; Increased physical activity; Risky behavior; Spending sprees; Increased drive to perform or achieve goals; Increased sexual drive; Decreased need for sleep; Tendency to be easily distracted; Inability to concentrate [2

hi, i'm bipolar! as i'm sure alot of you know, it comes up alot!
so hi! hope this goes down well!
xxx

hey, thats some good info :)

I have been diagnosed with bipolar in the past but they changed it to psychosis NOS, as its more of a psychotic disorder with mood problems rather than a mood disorder with psychotic problems .. if that makes sense!

Anyhoo, hopefully this thread will offer lots of support to everyone who needs it :)
xxxxx

thanks xxx

hi, very good info.
ive had depression on and off for 7 years now- it vaires from mild to major.
this time its up and down, some days bad then others really good. got meds for it last week- but im just soo sick of this happening. :(
sorry for complaining.

This is a very good idea Kija - thanks!
I've struggled on and off with depression for a number of years, but only started seeking help in the past year.

complaining can be good! i thinnk, gets it out your system! i'm about to go see my pysch for new meds, last ones i was on total disaster, i know the feeling being sick of it. i am, just want a magic wand at times. have to go try to be vaguely normal now, for a wider choice of meds! haha! i'll be complaining i bet when i get back!
xxx

yay! hi ravyn how are you?
i would say my bipolar-ness seriously started when i was about 16/17, got diagnosed about a year and a half ago at 23! joyfull init! tho my mom read the "symptoms" and said i displayed lots of them as a kid! interersting!
xxx

It's about time we had a thread of our own ;)

I'm Sarah, I'm 21, I'm currently at university. I was diagnosed with recurrent, unipolar depression (or Major Depressive Disorder) when I was 18, but I've probably been suffering from it since I was 15. Apparently I have a 'treatment resistant' form. Which basically means I've tried more than three medications and lots of therapy and nothing has significantly improved my symptoms so far.

Efexor (Venlafaxine) keeps me well enough to attend uni - i.e. it stops me being so depressed that all I do is lie in bed planning how to kill myself - but I still haven't got my old life back yet. But it's work in progress I guess.

By the way I have a blog about mental illness in general but when I get around to it it's going to mainly be about living with major depression since that's what I have personal experience of. If anyone wants to check it out it's http://hard-to-swallow.blogspot.com

I have been diagnoised with Bipolar Disorder since I was 16 (now 19) I have a history of suddenely stopping my lithium and becoming ill very quickly and needing hospital addmission. Or though my disorder not does always respond to medication.

Hi everyone *waves*

xxx

Oooh, thank for making this thread Kija.

I have a long standing diagnosis of Major (Clinical) Depression with Psychosis. This, however, is awaiting an ongoing mess of questioning to see whether it is to be changed to Bi-polar... Need a psych first though...

Anyways, thanks...

Roiben x

they have diagnosed me with depression and have been admitted to hospital many times. im 18,5 now.

Hi, glad this thread was made.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression at 21, though that was cause it was the first time I got so bad they had to call out someone to see me, I just trundled along before. Just last year though I was diagnosed bipolar, though my mum told m later she always thought it wasn't just depression *shrugs*.
I'll be 27 this month and although I'm happy enough with the diagnosis, I've realised recently that I have struggled to accept it, though I'm not too sure why. I have periods when I just stop my lithium and AD's and although I notice no change my family would realise within a week or two.

yay i'm glad this is a good thread i made!
i've just been started on lithium, well providing my ecg is all ok, i'll be starting tommorow, how do you find it starnight and ranger fairy? they think they're going to have to have me on lamotrigine as well! i've not had a good experiance of meds so far, so heres hoping!
xxx

When the levels r right it meant I'm able to function without hospital addmission, it works for my mood disorder so well. However I now have to be on a thyriod replacement hormone as the lithium had damged it. It can can a wonderful drug that changes ur life but make urself familiar with side-effects and look out for any signs of toxicaty and remember 2 have regular blood tests. But it has def been worth with no question.

I hope it works well 4 u 2 hun. gud luck!

xxx

As ranger fairy said. It' made such a difference to me with my moods being more stable. I haven't had many side effects, probably the most noticabel that I was thirstier, I get blood tests every 6 weeks. So just keep up with those and the docs will keep an eye on the levels to make sure they are in the therapeutic range.

Good Luck
xx

I have treatment resistant depression which I was diagnosed with when I was 15. I'm currently on Aripiprazole (Abilify) but i've been on about 7 different antidepressants and another antipsychotic. I have been through CBT which was quite helpful and i'd recommend it, and other talking therapies.

check you out my little twinny twin twin! fabulouso thread, good on ya. the depression bit was very well explained, a lot better than anything else i have read, very accurate in my personal experience anyways xxx hope the meet went well tonight xxx

hey everyone,glad this thread was made :)

i was diagnosed with bipolar 1 almost a month ago, though iv been battling depression and manic episodes for several years (im 19, almost 20) im going to be starting medication soon but am using the university health system which unfortunately takes some time to get organised.

personally what i find the most distressing about this illness is the psychosis i experience while manic (dont get me wrong it doesnt bother me at the time because im too euphoric to worry about it and it seems normal at the time) which when i come down again really frightens me

the info at the start of this thread was really helpful and thorough :) excellent

xoxo
kaye

IHi everyone
ive been diagnosed with depression, dysthymia + major depression episodes, but there was a point when dr and counsellor thought it was bipolar so who knows really! its definately depression atm now, also in the process of trying different meds to find one that works...

All I have ever been told is that I definitely have a mood disorder. CAMHS are pretty vague! At first I was diagnosed with depression, then the diagnosis of bipolar was thrown around a bit & I was put on an antipsychotic that was meant to act as a mood stabiliser, stayed on that for about a year along with intensive inpatient & day patient therapy, then I seemed to make a sort of...miraculous recovery? discharged myself from CAMHS and stopped meds, and was doing okay for the most part. However now I find myself depressed again, have had contact with the CMHT and should be getting a referral to the crisis team this week, and I've started taking mirtazapine too.

I hate the way my brain works! Makes me believe things are actually okay, and then a month or so later it all goes bad again. Ah well.

Here if anyone wants to talk :)

sunshine, maybe for that month, things were ok, i have times where ii'm ok, not manic or depressed just normal! wich is normally when i go yay a miricles happened and i'm better, and stop taking my meds. oops!
silent dancer do you hear/see things when manic?
xxx

Silentdancer - I have mixed episodes with my bipolar and during those times would have psychosis as well.
I really hate it though cuse even though I can't stop moving etc I'm terrified of what I see, one time (before I was diagnosed) I was seeing things and people that weern't there, not nice!!! Luckily since I started lithium last year my symptom haven't been as bad, and a lot more manageable.

me complaining again- asked doc if i could go off meds- cos im not that depressed, he said no. its just a little depression nothing much really tis just silly- dont even know why im posting here. i feel so fake- im sorry everyone that you has bipola and stuff. i have times when im fine/paky and then it just goes away and im not fine/ okay rather empty. but its not all the time- its no where near as bad as it has been in the past. this silly- i am not that depressed. sorry for complaing and wasting your time.

I was labelled as BPD and Major depression for quite awhile, recently my psych told me that I actually have type II/mixed type bipolar and anxiety. does anyone have experiences with this? I know a bit about type II but havent heard of "mixed"? Also I dont have manic episodes I have hypomania (racing thoughts, not so much euphoric high as irritable high), its all very confusing.
Sorry for the rant,

ps. good thread, thanks for starting

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 2 years ago. I have several family members with it too. I hate the fact that I'm medicated to be 'flat'. I can't feel my emotions properly. Every little medication change seems to send me over the edge. I can't seem to stabilise on my meds, I either get bad side-effects or a change in mood. I'm scared that I'm going to be stuck like this for the rest of my life. :sad:

cant erase it - the meds will be whats keeping you not so depressed. stopping them will probably make things worse again. depression is a mood disorder your in the right place to moan!
just a question, my ultimate goal is to be able to live with bipolar unmedicated (well maybe with emergency intervention medication) but i'd like to be able to know enough about myself to know my triggers and everything, anyone think this is possible or do it themselves? or is it like diabeties where you just have to live with taking your meds everyday?
xxx

It depends, there are bipolar people who live unmedicated, the main one who I know is Stephen Fry, from wht I remember he just didn't want to start taking meds. But of course this will all depend on how bad your episodes etc are.

melancholia - do you mean mixed episodes? as in you are experiencing symptoms of depression and mania at the same time?

oh yeah of course stephen fry! lol! duh! mine can be quite severe, but arent always. i've managed to stay out of being put in hospital, but theres been a few times when i should have been definately. who knows, i guess i'm the only one who can try and see if it works, i'm not ready to go med free yet! need to sort me life out first!
does anyone feel pressurised by being bipolar to be this amazingly talented creative person? because thats what its known for, and i'm really not! i'm just average on creative things really. no hidden genius in me!
xxx

I've suffered from depression since my adolescence. Treatment resistant recurrent major depressive disorder on a back ground of dysthymia. with BPD.

Been on loads of different ADs, APs and some mood stabilisers.

I went to my GP today, she has wanted to put me back on prozac for a while but I didn't really want it, anyways she started asking questions if at times when I have been happier than usual, too happy, that kind of thing. I was actually honest with her, and relayed some of my more embarrassing life events from times when I've been 'up' and she did seem rather worried. She said she wants me to see a specialist consultant, in what I do not know?! and she wouldn't put me on prozac before then because it could make my situation worse.

After a few assessments, you start to realise what their line of thinking is - do you hear voices? do you think the people on tv are talking to/about you? is the psychosis, schizophrenia route, and the do you have extreme highs and lows? do you think you are invincible? etc, i'm guessing is the bipolar route.

So yeah, to be honest she seems to think a lot of my syptoms fit bipolar, which does worry me a bit as it is a lifelong illness, and has a high suicide rate and all that, but I guess I will just have to wait and see what this specialist says...if I ever get an appointment!

that's how I get a lot of the time, I find it hard to understand though if that makes sense :/
must have been what my psych was trying to say?

good luck sunshine! yeah antidepressents dont help if your a rapid cycling bipolar, they can actually make you flip faster. prozac especially bad for it apparently. it took me a while to realise that i have this for life. i think you kind of need a time out from the world, like work and stuff. but then a proper diagnosis brings proper treatment! as i've said before my ultimate goal is to be unmedicated, and be able to live my normal life, not someone elses normal, just mine.
xxx

'Not that depressed' means different things for different people. If you're feeling well, then that's good, but coming off your meds may well make things worse again. What medication do you take?

A question for all of you, especially if you're Bipolar: Do you have therapy? I've always felt that the treatment of depression relies a bit too heavily on medication sometimes, but apparently it's even worse if you're Bipolar. I found a study that said only 5% of bipolar patients are given psychological therapy and that may well account for the high suicide rate.

Hey thanks for the info.
Im not sure but I think i may be bipolar, and my best friend agree's with me. I would say something to my shrink about it, but I'm scared he'll tell me I'm being silly and seeing things that arent there. But when my bestr friend told me that she thought I may be bipolar she sent me a list of the symptoms, and I have to admit quite a lot of them have happened to me, if i'm making sence..
What do you guys think I should do?

I would bring it up with your psychiatrist. He won't think you're being silly. Quite a lot of times an outside opinion can be what makes you realise something's wrong.

I can relate to this SO much. For now, my goal is to find a combination of medications to keep me as stable as possible and to live my normal life. Like you said, it needs to be MY normal. ;-)

since my diagnosis i've not been offered any help along those lines, its all just about medicating me to keep me stable. i'm not sure talking about things would help me on the bipolar front, im sure it would help with other trauma's that have happened to me, wich can apparently make bipolar worse! so who knows!
i think they think of depression alot has to do with circumstance, and bipolar is purely genetic. thats what i think they're approach is.

I'm bipolar and have therapy, my psych's fantastic, helps with the psychological side of my problems.

yeah i'm on the combination of meds mission too! its hard work, especially when they dont work or make you worse, or the side effects are unlivable!
i'm a tad annoyed as my bf doesnt believe i'll ever be able to go non-medicated, and he's not seen me totally flip either way as of yet! he wont know whats hit him!
MY normal i think is a very good way to think of things. i find.
i also think we have to have a different set of rules then the "rest" of the world.
xxx

Yeah, a lot of doctors seem to think that about bipolar illness. My grandfather was bipolar and psychiatrists always seem eager to ask me if I've ever had symptoms of mania or hypomania, maybe because that might explain why my depression has been so hard to treat but I haven't. But someone who inherits a genetic predisposition for mood disorders might have an abnormal gene(s) that produces too much or too little of certain chemicals in response to stressful events.

So in that case, psychological therapy may help people learn to deal better with stress in their lives, and make people's symptoms more manageable and prevent manic or depressive episodes. Personally I think everybody with a mood disorder should have some kind of therapy. CBT is often really effective.

And I'm stuck on the med-go-round as well, despite my depression being unipolar. I've pretty much accepted the fact that I may never be medication-free, but if I have to take medication to stay well, then so be it. I'd rather take it the rest of my life if it means I never have to have another major depressive episode again.

*edited to add* - by the way, I wrote a fairly good "things you need to know before you take antidepressants" article on my blog if anyone is interested in reading that.

i agree with you, as stress managemant is incredibly important, especially for me. as it is a major trigger! some sort of therapy would be beneficial. i've had CBT before, and found it to be of no help, but think that was because the woman who was doing it with me was pants! xxx

i just hate meds, the only reason i'm taking them now, is because i'm living at home (after 6 years away! its hell!) and i have to eliminate the risk of having an episode at home. due to lots of reasons. if it was just up to me i wouldnt take them. i would go for emergency levelling medication if possible, as i dont want people to see and go thru what my ex did. i put him thru hell and back.
xxx

CBT is like that, some people find it does nothing, for other people it works miracles. Kind of like prozac.

Well, yeah, the meds suck. I've been extraordinarily lucky in terms of side-effects so far. The only lasting side-effect I've had is sleep problems, so I don't mind my meds. Atypical antipsychotics on the other hand... ugh. Not taking my meds would suck so much more though.

i'd be willing to give CBT another try. as she was truly sh*t!!! but i'm also really good at analysing myself and looking at me from the outside, wich means i can kind of do it myself. if that makes sense?

glad your side effects havent been bad! lucky you! just out of curiousity what you on now? i was on AP's. olanzapine, quitiapene, abilify, none of wich were suitable! lol!
xxx

Wow, I didn't look for a couple days and this thread has taken off. Very cool!

Kija, I understand what you mean about being able to analyse yourself from the outside. I can do that too somewhat, but I have definitely found seeing a psychologist has helped.. because even though I can analyse things, he has a different perspective (one that's much more positive than mine too) which helps.

It makes sense. I think a lot of people can do cbt by themselves, once you understand how it works, but you have to keep it up. I use moodGYM for that, it's an online cbt workbook basically which saves you having to write everything down and it keeps track of how your mood is as well.

Antidepressant-wise, I've been on the generic versions of Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and currently 300mg of Efexor, plus a low dose of Trazodone at night because all SSRI's and SNRI's stop me sleeping properly. But other than that I've had no side effects, except the usual ones which are temporary in the first week or two and then when I ran out of Efexor this one time and I felt like I was going to die. I tried the generic version of Seroquel, and then Abilify, along with the Efexor at one point but both of them also made me feel like I was going to die.

Next up is to try taking mirtazipine instead of my Trazodone. Apparently for some people it's basically a wonder drug for pulling you out of depression but it can also make you really fat.