Mood disorders are mental health conditions that negatively affect a person’s mood. The four most common mood disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder, and substance-induced mood disorders. Recognizing mood disorder symptoms can help people living with these conditions to understand more about what they’re battling. And, get the information they need to reach out to treatment centers that provide effective and individualized approaches to care for these specific disorders. So, in this blog, we outline some of the signs and symptoms of these disorders in order to help people living with them recognize these disorders in their own lives.
Some mood disorder symptoms and signs to look out for may include:
Many people who are living with mood disorders, specifically depressive disorders, may struggle with intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. While these feelings are normal after someone experiences tragic events, people who are living with mood disorders may experience these overwhelming emotions even though there was nothing that necessarily provoked them.
A common symptom of mood disorders is a disturbed sleep schedule. People living with mood disorders often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. On the other hand, another issue that many people living with mood disorders may face is sleeping too much. They may feel drained and exhausted even if there isn’t anything over-exerting them too much in their lives physically, so they may sleep longer than usual and have trouble getting out of bed.
One of the most typical mood disorder symptoms is a generalized apathy for things once enjoyed. For example, after a person has developed a mood disorder, they may no longer wish to hang out with friends, go to social gatherings, or do the hobbies that they previously always loved. While many of the symptoms of mood disorders may not be that noticeable, this is one that is more noticeable for friends and family members of someone with a mood disorder, as they may start to isolate themselves and avoid contact with loved ones.
Mood disorders affect an individual’s ability to manage moods. This is due to dysregulations and misfirings of neurotransmitters in the brain. And, can result in sudden and frequent mood swings like bouts of anger and frustration. So, people who experience mood disorders may suddenly feel angered, upset, or annoyed by the people around them or in unwanted, unavoidable situations.
Another common symptom of mood disorders is experiencing intrusive thoughts. This can include thoughts of self-harm and suicide. So, if you’re experiencing these thoughts, it can mean that you’re living with an undiagnosed mood disorder. And, it can be a sign that you need to seek immediate help in order to combat these unwanted thoughts.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of mood disorders, you’re not alone. Mood disorders are not uncommon and fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available for people who are living with them. The symptoms of mood disorders can be effectively managed with treatment, so it’s important to seek help in order to consider all of your treatment options. Delray Center for Healing specializes in providing compassionate care for people living with mood disorders. And, offers a number of programs and services on an outpatient basis for people who are diagnosed with these disorders. To find out more about getting a diagnosis and treatment planning for mood disorders, reach out to us on our website.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.