08-06-2007, 05:30 AM
Depression and manic-depression are mood disorders, medical illnesses characterized by changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior.
Depression is the most common mood disorder, affecting approximately 20 million Americans each year. Symptoms of depression include:
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Unexplained aches and pains
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or hopelessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Excessive consumption of alcohol or use of chemical substances
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Manic-depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is another common mood disorder which affects more than two million Americans. Bipolar disorder usually causes a person’s mood to alternate between symptoms of depression and mania, a heightened energetic state characterized by:
Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractability
Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, rash business decisions, erratic driving and sexual indiscretions
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Mood disorders are treatable. With the right combination of medication and/or talk therapy, you can stabilize the moods that interfere with your life. By using self-help skills and strategies that work with your treatment plans, you can experience levels of wellness, stability and recovery you may never have thought possible.
Depression is the most common mood disorder, affecting approximately 20 million Americans each year. Symptoms of depression include:
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Unexplained aches and pains
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or hopelessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Excessive consumption of alcohol or use of chemical substances
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Manic-depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is another common mood disorder which affects more than two million Americans. Bipolar disorder usually causes a person’s mood to alternate between symptoms of depression and mania, a heightened energetic state characterized by:
Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractability
Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, rash business decisions, erratic driving and sexual indiscretions
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Mood disorders are treatable. With the right combination of medication and/or talk therapy, you can stabilize the moods that interfere with your life. By using self-help skills and strategies that work with your treatment plans, you can experience levels of wellness, stability and recovery you may never have thought possible.