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...