Mood Disorders: EQ: What are Mood Disorders and how do they impact the individuals who suffer form them?

What are Mood Disorders? As the name implies, these are disorders that cause an extremity in one’s mood or their emotional state. These effects can be shorter-lived or can last a lifetime Most of the time, they can be treated with medication and/or therapy

Clinical Depression: The Most Common Mood Disorder As the name implies, these are disorders that cause an extremity in one’s mood or their emotional state. These effects can be shorter-lived or can last a lifetime Most of the time, they can be treated with medication and/or therapy

How Common is Depression???

Depression

Major Depressive Disorder: MDD A person, for no apparent reason, experiences two or more weeks of depressive moods These symptoms are generally more severe that “normal” depression

Dysthymic Disorder: Suffering from mild depression every day for at least two years. The symptoms are usually similar to clinical depression, but more mild

Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD A mood disorder that affects people during certain times of the year. This is usually associated with extremes in weather during the winter or summer time Often referred to as “Seasonal Depression”

Bipolar I: In Bipolar I, a person will have periods of depression (Sometimes severe) Other times, they will experience mania (Extreme energy that may keep a person awake for days) In between, an individual will also have periods of normalcy

Bipolar II: In Bipolar II, a person will not experience mania, but will develop a personality that is heightened, over exuberant, or irritable. They will not experience mania, but will suffer from depression