Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a fairly common mental illness that affect many people in the modern world. The symptoms of these mental illnesses are going to vary a little depending on the exact type of mood disorder, but in general, they revolve around depression or a combination of depression and mania. The causes of mood disorders isn't understood completely, but enough is known to make treatment for mood disorders a possibility. On Mentaline.com, we have therapists offering online therapy for help with a wide range of mood disorders. Before you decide if online treatment is a viable option for you, here is some further information about mood disorders.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Genetics, chronic stress, sensory depression and other mental problems are thought to be the main reasons people develop problems with mood disorders. Trauma to the brain may also cause a problem with neurotransmitters (i.e. serotonin) which can result in various mood orders developing. While everything is not known about the brain and how mood disorders affect it, there is quite a bit known about many common and some not so common mood disorders.

Major Types of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are categorized in two major groups, with each having several sub-categories of related mental disorders.


Depressive Disorders - These mental disorders center around depression to varying degrees. Major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, atypical depression, depression and unspecified depressive disorder are all different types of depressive disorders.

Bipolar Disorders  - When a patient exhibits mania as well as depression it is considered bipolar disorder. Some of the major types of bipolar disorder are manic episode, manic depression, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder (a mild form of bipolar disorder), and unspecified mood disorder.

Symptoms of Mood Disorders

While the symptoms may vary slightly depending on the exact type of mood disorder, these are some common signs that are associated with this type of mental disorder.

• Sleep troubles ranging from insomnia to falling asleep during the day or being very tired frequently happen to people with one or more mood disorder.
• A sense of hopelessness - even if things are going good - is a big indicator that a mood disorder may be a problem.
• Low self-esteem and a negative self-image are also related to some mood disorders.
• Bad eating habits - eating too much or not enough - are also indications that there may be a problem with a mood disorder.
• Concentration problems and bad decision making also accompany mood disorders in many people.

As mentioned, the exact symptoms may be different, but even if they don't all appear, there are some serious risks that come with mood disorders.

Dangers of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders can lead to health issues, other mental disorders, and even substance abuse. All of these are serious risks that should be considered before labeling mood disorders like depression something that isn't a big deal. Many people suffer without needing to suffer. In some extreme cases, major depression could lead to suicide attempts. Before letting a mood disorder go this far, it is important to look at all of the treatment options available for mood disorders.

Treatment for Mood Disorders

On Mentaline.com, you can book online sessions with therapists who use psychotherapy online to help people deal with their mental disorders. You can find trained therapists who specialize in all of the various mood disorders. With counseling guided by trained professionals as well as interaction with people who are going through similar situations, the chances of successfully being able to treat a problem with mood disorders without drugs is possible. Instead of trading one problem - the mental illness - with another problem - a need for drugs - it is vital to at least check out all the treatment options that are available for mood disorders.

Definition of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are mental illnesses that center around chemical imbalances in the brain that cause emotional problems with depression, mania, or a combination of both. Symptoms of mood disorders include feelings of hopelessness, sleep troubles and other problems. Treatment with psychotherapy is helpful for dealing with a variety of mood disorders.

Symptoms of / Reasons for Mood Disorders

• Sleep problems
• Hopelessness
• Low self-esteem
• Bad eating habits
• Fatigue

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