MOOD SWINGS

MOOD SWINGS

The problematic mood swings are unpredictable , frequently fluctuating but without obvious precipitants , uncontrollable, emotional responses that seems inappropriate reactions to event and are beyond your control ; exyreme , with mood always experienced as intense highs or lows ; excessive , with very frequent ups and downs occurring for  many years

Extensive, marked changes of mood that last long time

Accompanied by associated changes, in your thoughts, the way they behave, and possibly in the biological system that impact on day to day functioning

Distruptive to lives, causing significant problems for the individual experiencing them and / or for others

Different Types of Mood Disorders

If your mood swings have most of these characteristics it is possible that you have mood disorders. the major difference between mood disorder and other forms of mood swings is that mood disorders tend to show a consistent pattern of symptoms that occur together whenever a significant mood disturbance occurs . Also the changes persist for prolonged periods of time. The most common mood disorders are: dysthymia (chromic minor depression)

Major depressive disorder (unipolar disorder)

Manic – depressive disorder (also called bipolar disorder)

Dysthymia and major depressive disorder are characterised by a depressed mood with ‘highs’. The depression interspersed with periods of normal moods. It has less severe symptoms than major depressions, but there are relatively few periods of normal moods. Furthermore the feeling of sadness is very persistent, occurring virtually every day for two or more years. Not surprisingly, individuals with dysthymia frequently report a lack of self confidence and low self esteem. The term manic depression ecompasses a number of syndromes characterised by both downswings and up swings. I individual with bipolar 1 disorder experiences episodes of major depression and mania and dysphonic mania, person are high but also irritable, impatient and agitated

How to find Depression and Mania

Depression

Depressed moods or loss of interest or pleasure in this you used to enjoy

 This must last at least 14 days. This change should be accompanied by 5 of the flowing symptoms:

 Reduced interest, fatigue, or agitation

Insomnia or increased sleep (hypersomia)

 Significant weight loss or gain

 Reduced or increased appetite

 Reduced ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness

 Feeling of worthlessness, recurrent thoughts of death

The symptoms cause significant distress and / or impair social, occupational or other important areas of functioning

Mania

Distinctly abnormal and persistently elevated expansive or irritable mood.

 This must last at least 7 days. This change should be accompanied by 3 of the following symptoms;

Increased in goal directed activity

 Excessive investment in pleasurable activities

Reduced need for sleep

More talkative than usual with a pressure to keep talking, subjective experience of thoughts racing

Increased self-esteem

Grandiose idea these symptoms should substantially impair functioning or require that the person is hospitalized.

You can even contact the following for assistance

British Psychological Society

Division of clinical psychology

St Andrews House

48 princess road east

Leicester LEI 7DR

Uk

Tel no: 01162549568

Email:enquiries@bps.org.uk

Depression Alliance

212spitfire Studios 63-71 Collier Street London N1 9BE uk

 Tel no: 08451232320 , email : information@depressionalliance.org