Mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects your emotional state. This is a disorder in which you experience long periods of sadness, happiness or both. For Instance, you can find yourself happy just for no reason for a week or months, or you just get sad to the point of tears without knowing the cause for weeks or months, that’s what mood disorders are, but no worries,mood disorders can be treated.
It is normal for your mood to change, but as stated above, if moods persist for a long period, it is a disorder. There are different types of mood disorders, they include, depression, bipolar disorders, dysthymia, dysphoria disorder, seasonal disorder amongst many.
Depression
This is a mental health problem that involves low interest in things, it is also characterised by persistent feeling of sadness, depression affects the way you feel,act and think. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, from sadness to loss of interest in activities, low self esteem, or suicide. Antidepressants are one way to cure depressions, this is the use of medications,to improve the mental health, mild depression can be cured through psychotherapy, talking to people or a certified therapist.
Bipolar Disorders
Another type of mood disorder is bipolar disorder, this is extreme mood swing, which can result in acting like a manic, bipolar disorders can also result in violent behaviour especially when angry. Symptoms of bipolar disorders varies and can cause unpredictable changes in mood and behaviour.
Dysthymia
This is also known as persistent depressive disorder, it is a chronic form of depression, while in other forms of depression, feelings last for a week or months, that’s not the case with dysthymia, in this case, deep feeling of sadness last for years,studies shows that depressive feelings last for at least two years.
Dysphoria Disorder
This is peculiar to women, it is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. The is caused by hormonal changes, which happens during menstrual cycle, the hormonal changes can cause a deficiency called serotonin deficiency, which affects moods. Symptoms of dysphoria disorder includes; nervousness, anxiety, severe fatigue, agitation and confusion. Dysphoria disorder can be treated through regular exercise, stress management and anti-inflammatory medicines.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
This type of mood swing is related to the changes in seasons, such as rainy season, heat seasons or harmattan. Symptoms include; feeling listless, loosing interest in activities, difficulties in concentrating and feeling of hopelessness. Treatment may include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
In conclusion, mood disorders can affect anyone, child, adult, but they are relatively common among adults, each disorder have different symptoms, causes and treatments. But once detected, it is advised you see a therapist, psychiatrist or a mental health professional.