Brief Description of Mood Disorders
Depression:
Prolonged sadness, unexplained crying spells, significant changes in appetite, sleep patterns; unexplained aches and pains, social isolation. Irritability, anger, agitation, anxiety, pessimism, indifference, worry.
Loss of energy, feelings ofguilt, persistent exhaustion. hopelessness, worthlessness. Social withdrawal. Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness. Inability to take pleasure in former interests. Excessive consumption of alcohol or use of chemical substances.
Recurring thoughts of death and suicide. (This symptom alone indicates the person should see a doctor—regardless of any other symptoms.)
Mania:
Increased physical and mental activity. Exaggerated optimism and self-confidence; grandiose thoughts, inflated sense of self-importance; increased energy. Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior.
Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired. Racing thoughts, pressured speech. Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, impulsive decisions, erratic driving and sexual indiscretions. Racing thoughts, pressured speech, jumping from one topic to another. Impulsiveness, poor judgment. In severe cases, delusions and hallucinations. Denial anything is wrong.
Note about manic-depression (bipolar disorder): Not as common as 'major depression' and characterized by mood swings. Proper diagnosis can take time, months even years. Talk to your medical provider about all your feelings and symptoms. Often people with bipolar only see their doctors when the 'downside' hits. Mania usually 'feels good' to the person who has it and your family and friends will often notice the change before you do. Try to give your doctor the whole picture of your moods.
Recovery from Psychiatric Disabilities
Disabling psychiatric conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression), schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) rob people of energy, concentration, sleep, clear-thinking, calm emotions, self-esteem, joy, hope, and even life itself. No one asks to be attacked and held captive by such painful and often chronic mental distress. Family relationships and friendships often fall apart. For example, the divorce rate for people with bipolar disorder can be as high as 90 percent. Even the strongest and most stable family environment can shatter due to the emotional, physical and financial stress the comes with caring for a loved one who lives with constant mental distress. Depression and mood swings can create rage, verbal abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and other disturbing symptoms. The futures of those of us who live with these 'storms in our brains' are often bleak. Homelessness, addictions to alcohol and other substances, incarceration, unemployment and social isolation are often part of either our personal histories..or our futures.
However, through our association with DBSA, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance we have learned that is it is possible to recover from what mental health service providers and public agencies call 'serious mental illness'. What is recovery? Patricia Deegan, PhD, reknowned speaker, author and consultant who was once told she would always be kept in a state mental hospital due her diagnosis of schizophrenia describes recovery as “...a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the days' challenges...The need to meet the challenge of the disability and to re-establish a new and valued sense of integrity and purpose within and beyond the limits of the disability; the aspiration to live, work and love in a community in which one makes a significant contribution.”
Researchers all over the world have discovered in the last three decades that most people with psychiatric disabilities recover over time. One researcher summarized their findings as follows; “ One-half to two-thirds of all people who experience psychiatric symptoms recover even when told they can't expect to do so, are given little or no help to recover and face barriers to recovery.” (Harding, 1988). With over 1,000 peer-led support groups across the country, DBSA has found this statement to be very true. The leadership of the Colorado Springs chapter of DBSA, with 10 support groups and over 150 weekly participants has heard this spontaneous remark by peers struggling with mood disorders over and over since the chapter was founded in 1994; “DBSA saved my life.” Furthermore, those of us who have been involved in DBSA and other parts of what is sometimes called the mental health 'consumer-survivor'movement for a number of years find peers in recovery throughout Colorado and across the USA who are gainfully employed, achieved their educational goals, rebuilt their family lives, do volunteer work and have a active spiritual life. Hospitalizations and suicide attempts decrease dramatically. How does this happen?
Please go to the next page for that answer.
 | ||||||
| ||||||
