When it comes to mental health, the phrase "mood illness" has become somewhat of a catch-all. In actuality, the term "mood disorder" refers to either depression or bipolar disorder.
Many people refer to their
feelings of sadness or disappointment as "depression." This is an
inaccurate description. Depression is characterized by a persistent shift in
one's mood, outlook, or behaviour. Normal sadness and disappointment do not last
weeks on end.
Bipolar Disorder is characterized
by mood swings between exuberant mania and profound depression. Bipolar
Disorder can have a significant impact on the lives of those who suffer from
it, as the euphoric mania stage can result in excessive, irresponsible behaviour
— such as reckless spending of money or inappropriately interjecting oneself
into certain situations — while the major depressive stage can render a person
nearly completely incapacitated and occasionally result in a suicide attempt.
Anxiety is a very different
situation from bipolar disorder. Anxiety is, in general, a state of emotional
overwhelm and/or acute dread, whether it occurs frequently or only in specific
situations. While the anxious person may feel out of control, an anxious person
is unlikely to participate in public displays of irrational or inappropriate
behaviour, as someone with bipolar disorder may. Interestingly, dread of being
mentally sick is frequently a sign that one is not mentally ill at all, as the
majority of people who are actually mentally ill believe they are normal and
healthy, and may even react hostilely to anyone who suggests differently.
While referring to anxiety as a
mood disorder may be a matter of semantics, it is critical to distinguish
between diverse emotional and psychological conditions, if for no other reason
than to ensure adequate treatment.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or
"SAD," is a frequent type of depression that affects certain people
as the seasons' change and there is less or no sunlight. This is a condition
that doctors do not fully understand, although it is believed to be related to
your body's melatonin and serotonin levels. It is hypothesized that a chemical
imbalance occurs as a result of insufficient sunshine. This is most prevalent from
September through April. Certain items can be beneficial for persons who suffer
from this ailment. Listed below are a few possible actions.
Exercise has been shown to be
beneficial to a large number of people. Make a concerted effort to get out
there and work up a sweat. Stretch your entire body thoroughly before and after the activity. This will alleviate pain and also decrease your risk of harm.
Increase the amount of light.
Whether you're outside engaging in physical activity or inside turning on lights,
bring yourself into the light. Sitting near a bright lamp, particularly one
that emits a whole spectrum of light will assist stimulate chemicals in your
body that will improve your mood. Open the blinds and allow light into the
house (unless the weather is particularly gloomy outside). Take a seat in the
sunlight that streams through the window.
Finally, as a last resort, you
may wish to consider antidepressant medication. There is nothing wrong with
occasionally needing assistance. Consult your physician and you will discover that
you are not alone in this.
Although this sort of depression
can be challenging to treat, with the correct care and activities, it is
controllable. Develop a new activity, enrol in a class, or volunteer. Anything
that makes you joyful can assist in lifting you out of your gloomy mood and
reintroducing you to your routine. The sun will beam once more.
Concerning Dysthymic
Depression
Dysthymic Disorder is a low-grade
but persistent depression characterized by feelings of melancholy or depression
in conjunction with a loss of interest in activities and some physical symptoms
such as lack of energy, sleep, or attention.
This is a subtype of clinical
depression that is considered "milder" than Major Depressive Disorder
due to the fact that the symptoms do not occur on a daily basis. Unlike MDD
patients, Dysthymic sufferers are not bedridden, are able to work, and do not
appear to be ill. However, the majority of these individuals report feeling
"normal" or "happy" over an extended period of time.
Additionally, Dysthymic Disorder
manifests itself through a lack of desire and motivation. As a result,
relatives and friends frequently misread the individual's mood. Certain
patients are stigmatized as "lazy" or "unmotivated" to accomplish
important goals.
Patients with this condition
develop trouble functioning over time. However, because they appear normal, the
ailment goes unnoticed and sufferers are not treated promptly. They are
frequently not referred to a psychiatrist.
Patients go through a great deal
of emotional upheaval. Indeed, some dysthymic patients progress to a more
severe form of depression known as Major Depressive Disorder. When
"dysthymic disorder and major depression coexist," people become so
depressed that they become a danger to themselves and functionally disabled.
Psychiatric hospitalization becomes necessary at this point.
Thus, Dysthymic Disorder is a
major health concern that requires quick recognition and treatment. It is a
disease that conceals its presence from everyone, including professionals and
patients.
Antidepressants and psychotherapy
can be used to treat the dysthymic disorder. Although the majority of patients
react to treatment, some continue to suffer despite sufficient treatment.
Additionally, some persons respond in a modest manner. As a result, treating
this ailment can be more difficult than treating others.
Clinical Depression vs. Bipolar Depression
Depression and bipolar depression are distinguished by their intensity and frequency of occurrence. Depression is frequently triggered by life circumstances, but bipolar depression is chemically produced and is the polar opposite of mania. Depression and manic episodes occur in cycles, independent of the individual's life circumstances.
While anyone suffering from
clinical depression is at risk of self-medication with drugs or alcohol, the
danger is greater for those suffering from bipolar depression. A person who has
experienced the maniac highs may attempt to reproduce the sensation when they
are depressed or "steady." For a brief period, drugs frequently
assist in generating the high. This puts the individual in danger of developing
a drug addiction in addition to the bipolar condition.
Additionally, treatment for the
two types of depression varies. Clinical depression is treated solely with
antidepressants. However, those suffering from bipolar depression are frequently
prescribed a mood stabilizer first, followed by an antidepressant if necessary.
Both drugs alter brain chemistry to treat sadness, but the mood stabilizer also
prevents the individual from going too far in the opposite direction and
developing manic symptoms.
It feels the same to the
individual who is depressed regardless of the reason for the mood. The critical
role that understanding the distinctions plays is primarily in terms of
treatment alternatives. If only the depression is treated, a person suffering
from bipolar depression is a danger of turning manic. This, in turn, presents
more complications.
While Bipolar II is similar to
Bipolar I, it has one significant distinction. While Bipolar I is characterized
by intense manic and depressive states, Bipolar II is characterized by profound
depression but never by full-blown mania. Although the highs of this variety of
bipolar disorder are not quite as severe, they are sufficient to make the
sufferer more aware of the downswings. This type of bipolar disorder can be
equally as difficult to deal with as Bipolar I.
Bipolar two's manic episodes are
referred to as hypomanic manic episodes. Hypomania is simply a highly energized
state characterized by exceptional productivity and agility. When hypomanic, you
speak quickly, walk quickly, think quickly, and pretty much do everything else
quickly. You become buoyant, passionate, unflinchingly positive, and
self-assured.
The term "major depressive
episode" is just a fancy way of saying "depression." When someone
suffers from a major depressive episode, they are profoundly depressed. The
symptoms are identical to those associated with clinical depression. These
symptoms include the following:
—Loss of interest in life.
—Anxiety, stress, or irritation.
—Energy depletion.
—Appetite alteration.
—Modification of sleeping
patterns.
—I'm restless.
—Feel as if time has slowed.
—Reduced capacity for
decision-making.
—An inability to concentrate.
—Feelings of insignificance or
guilt.
—Hopelessness.
—Suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
The major depressive episode is a
significant disadvantage of Bipolar II in multiple respects. Not only is it the
downturn in mood, but it is also the price of having such high productive ups.
Although you can accomplish a great deal during the up phase of Bipolar II and
also feel fantastic, these gains come at a significant cost. You pay the price
in the form of a serious depressive episode. It can be dreadful to go from a
wonderful, exuberant high into a position of despondency.
Bipolar Disorder: Rapid
Cycling
By definition, bipolar disorder
is a condition in which sufferers alternate between two extremes of mental
instability: mania and depression. Rapid cycling occurs when the person
abruptly switches between the two states.
Because rapid cycling bipolar
illness is one of the more severe forms of bipolar disease, the prognosis is
not always favourable for those who suffer from it. Mental health and brain
function are severely affected in patients with this disorder due to the rapid
transition from mania to depression and back again. Additionally, treating this
illness is challenging.
To be diagnosed with rapid
cycling, the patient must meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR, which requires at least four
bouts of depression and mania/hypomania within a one-year period.
Some persons with rapid cycling bipolar disorder are asymptomatic, meaning they experience neither of the condition's two cycles. This does not negate their need to manage their disease efficiently, as when mania and depression do strike, they can be severe enough to be life-threatening.
The more concerning aspect of
this disorder is when there is little to no interval between normalcy and a
manic or depressed episode. Without appropriate mental health care, those who
experience this extreme can become a danger to themselves and others.
Additionally, those who suffer
from rapid cycling bipolar disorder may engage in dangerous activity. Abuse of
drugs and alcohol is not ruled out, particularly for individuals who
self-medicate. This can actually exacerbate the symptoms and accelerate the
rate at which they cycle between the two extremes.
Bipolar Disorder and
Creativity
Human beings have recognized the
link between brilliance or creativity and mental illness almost from the dawn
of humanity. Consider how these folks are represented in films and books - the
insane scientist who works day and night in his laboratory, or the delusional
artist who doesn't even stop to eat.
According to researchers, an
exceptionally high proportion of creative geniuses suffered from bipolar
disorder. The reason Bipolar may result in an increase in creative talents is
related to the disease's nature. A surge in creative, mental, and physical
energy is a symptom of mania. This may explain how these individuals were able
to produce such works of brilliance and dedicate such concentrated lengths of
time to their work.
Among these creative minds was
novelist Virginia Woolf, who left us countless excellent works. Sylvia Plath, a
poet, was also afflicted by the mood fluctuations associated with Bipolar
disease. Ludwig van Beethoven, a musician and composer, is also believed to
have suffered from bipolar disorder.
Perhaps well recognized for her
portrayal of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, actress Vivien Leigh
suffered from bipolar disorder. Despite the sickness and the shock treatments
used to treat it in those days, she persevered
While hardly everyone with
bipolar disorder creates lasting works of art or literature, there is a higher
proportion of bipolar artists and writers. So does bipolar disorder's emotional
instability result in genius? We may never know for certain.
