Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders

We've all had moments where we feel moody.

A mood disorder is different in that you experience long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness or both. For a mood disorder diagnosis, your symptoms must be present for several weeks or longer.

This mental health condition can cause changes in your behaviour and affect your ability to live a normal life and go to work or school. The most commonly known mood disorders are Depression and Bipolar Disorder, and we treat both at Palm Tree Clinic.

Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition, where you feel sad or hopeless. It can make it difficult to think and remember things and you might have trouble eating and sleeping.
For you to receive a diagnosis of Clinical Depression, your symptoms must last for at least two weeks. One thing to remember is that Depression is treatable with therapy and medicines. There are different types of Depression, including:

Postpartum Depression can occur during pregnancy or after. It can be brought on by hormonal, physical, emotional, financial and social changes as a result of having a baby.

Persistent Depressive Disorder is a chronic form of depression that lasts for at least two years. It’s less severe than major depressive disorder, but it’s ongoing and can affect you negatively.

Depression with Psychosis is a severe type of depression that’s combined with psychotic episodes like hallucinations or delusions. If you experience depression with psychosis you have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong mood disorder and mental health condition that causes intense changes in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and your behaviour. These significant mood changes are called manic and depressive episodes. There are four basic types of Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar I Disorder is when you have experienced one or more episodes of mania. Most people with Bipolar I will have episodes of both mania and depression, but an episode of depression isn’t necessary for a diagnosis.

Bipolar II Disorder causes cycles of depression much like Bipolar I. If you live with Bipolar II you can experience hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Hypomanic periods aren’t as intense or disruptive as manic episodes. Bipolar II Disorder often means you’re able to handle daily responsibilities.

Cyclothymia Disorder is a chronically unstable mood state. You might experience hypomania and mild depression for at least two years.

Other specified and unspecified Bipolar and related disorders might not meet the criteria set out above, but can still result in significant, abnormal mood changes and need treatment. .