What's a Mood Disorder?

[Struggling]

My dr said I had depression and a mood disorder. What the heck is that supposed to mean?

[exeter]

A mood disorder is a mental disorder characterized by extremes of mood... that is, either depression, or bipolar disorder. So, basically, when your doc said you had a mood disorder, he basically meant you were depressed.

[Struggling]

Originally Posted by exeter

A mood disorder is a mental disorder characterized by extremes of mood... that is, either depression, or bipolar disorder. So, basically, when your doc said you had a mood disorder, he basically meant you were depressed.

Is it possible he was talking about bipolar since he already claimed I had depression?

What a bad visit that turned out to be

[Andrew]

Yes, its possible that he was referring to Bipolar Disorder.

[Draga]

Originally Posted by Struggling

Is it possible he was talking about bipolar since he already claimed I had depression?

What a bad visit that turned out to be

Symptoms of Bipolar....Found this on a Website.....
http://www.bipolarhelpcenter.com/index.jsp


Each of the two phases of bipolar disorder, mania and depression, has its own set of symptoms—although some people may have a "mixed episode," in which they have manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. The severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person—and can change as the illness progresses.

Unlike diseases that can be detected through blood tests or body scans, bipolar disorder can be hard to identify. Recognizing the symptoms plays a crucial role in diagnosing bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of bipolar mania
The main feature of a manic episode is an excessively "high" mood (euphoria) or an abnormally irritable mood. The mood must last for a week or more (less time if the person has to go to the hospital). Along with the euphoria or irritability, a person has three or four of the following symptoms:


Inflated sense of self-importance (e.g., may have grandiose delusions or overestimate abilities and talents)
Decreased need for sleep (e.g., may go days without sleep and not feel tired)
Loud, rapid speech (e.g., may talk nonstop)
Racing thoughts (e.g., may abruptly jump from one subject to another)
Distractibility (e.g., may not be able to screen out irrelevant details)
Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may pace or hold multiple conversations at once)
Increase in goal-oriented activities (e.g., may have an increased sex drive or become excessively and inappropriately social)
Unwise involvement in pleasurable but potentially risky activities (e.g., may rack up significant debt, have sex with strangers, abuse drugs, or make rash investment decisions)


Symptoms of bipolar depression
Bipolar depression is more than just having the blues. A person in the midst of a major depressive episode experiences extreme sadness or numbness almost all day, every day, for at least two weeks. Or they may show a loss of interest in or enjoyment from their favorite activities. In addition, the person shows signs of at least four of the following nearly every day:


Significant changes in appetite and/or weight (e.g., may crave specific foods or be unable to eat)
Sleep problems (e.g., may have insomnia or sleep too much)
Loss of energy or fatigue (e.g., may take much longer to do simple, everyday tasks)
Trouble concentrating (e.g., may have a hard time making decisions or focusing on work)
Slowed speech, thinking, or body movements (e.g., may take a long time to answer a question)
Inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness (e.g., may fixate on perceived failings)
Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may not be able to sit still)
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (e.g., may have plans for how to commit suicide)

[Draga]

Here a questionare from same site.....http://www.bipolarhelpcenter.com/resources/mdq.jsp

[Coral Rhedd]

There is also Bipolar II in which you only get mild "up" states (hypomania) and severe "down" states (depression).

[Draga]

Yeah,,heh I got Bipolar II......fun fun fun

[Struggling]

I don't have bi-polar. Thanks for the info

[auntchris]

Thanks Draga for the information. I took the questionarre. wow. I cant believe how much it sounds like me . Chris

[auntchris]

OH forgot my therapist at the hospital told me I had a mood disorder is that the same thing as bipolar? She also, said both my parents did to from conversations she had with them. just wondering..chris