Mood Disorders: Depression, Bipolar, Support

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a major public health problem. Yet current evidence suggests that many suffer needlessly. Only one in three people with a mood disorder seeks mental-health treatment.

Depression and the bipolar illness are similar in that they are both mood disorders. In depressive disorders (unipolar depression) individuals experience the classic symptoms of low mood. The depression may be so severe that some may come to consider suicide as an option. In the bipolar disorder individuals may experience a combination of low moods with swings to high, even euphoric moods. Many individuals make poor judgments in these situations, causing great distress to themselves and to their families.

Each afflicted person will show some, but not necessarily all-of the following symptoms:

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

   • Feelings of hopelessness
   • Excess fatigue
   • Sleep disturbance
   • Loss of concentration
   • Loss of pleasure in activities that were previously fun
   • Excess guilt
   • Suicidal thoughts

SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDERS (Mania):

   • Elevated mood
   • Increased activity
   • Irritability and anger
   • Decreased need for sleep
   • Loss of self control
   • Poor judgment
   • Racing thoughts
   • Overspending

Greater Chicago

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Ask the Doctor

Periodically, we will reply to questions received from our members Answer: I strongly believe that you should have her with

and post them on the website. It is our hope the responses will be you. This is most important as she is familiar with you

helpful for many of you. and can describe your behavior from her own perspective.

Question: My wife says I am depressed and has insisted that This is very necessary, as your own ability to give an

I see a psychiatrist for an evaluation. I did make an accurate report is probably impaired. If you go to the

appointment. Now my wife wants to come along. What do appointment alone, you are wasting your time and money.

you think?