Bridges To Recovery explains mood disorders as common but poorly understood and under appreciated..
Humans have been plagued with mood disorders since time immemorial. One of the first expressions for depression, melancholy, literally implying “black bile” dates back to the ancient days of Hippocrates. Since earliest recorded history, mood disorders occurring outside of the norm have been recognized and charted.
At some point in time, all individuals will experience a heartbreaking event or unanticipated loss of a loved one, or deep sadness, grief or anguish. Indeed this is just a range of normal behavior and emotions. However, when the symptoms or signs of mood disorders are prolonged and tend to affect the individual or others around, a diagnosis of mood disorder is generally made. The story does get complicated because of overlapping symptoms and today psychiatrists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a guide. This bible of psychiatry provides diagnostic criteria for the majority of mental disorders. The DSM now in its 4th edition is widely used by psychiatrists in the US, health care workers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and policy makers all over the world.
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The exact number of people suffering from mood disorders in the USA is not known but the numbers are high. Estimates from mental health clinics reveal that anywhere from 7-10 percent of the population suffers from mood disorders and there are countless others who have not been diagnosed for fear of embarrassment or lack of money to see a health care professional.
The clusters of mood orders which are common include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Mood disorders are diagnosed when the symptoms fall beyond the normal fluctuations of sadness or happiness. What is not appreciated is that mood disorders have severe consequences on the individual, family and friend and carry a significant morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, mood disorders rank in the 10 causes of major illnesses. At the top of the list is unipolar depression followed by bipolar.
Mood disorders are more common in every segment of society including single, divorced and separated individuals. There is no correlation with social status, age, class or color. Risk factors for mood disorders include a positive family history, personality factors, environmental strain(s) and a possible imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. No society, culture, race or gender is immune from mood disorders.
The biggest difference between western society and eastern cultures is that mental disorders are accepted as a bona fide illness by the former whereas in many oriental cultures, mood disorders are not accepted even among physicians. There tends to be a belief that these people are malingering or faking an illness.
The disability suffered by an individual with a mood disorder is broad. Besides the individual, spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends and colleagues all experience fury, blame, aggravation , financial woes and on occasion even physical abuse in their efforts to alleviate or manage with the mental anguish.
The one mood disorder that is predominant in American society is major depressive disorder. This chronic illness is twice as common in woman and accrues a considerable morbidity. Women between the ages of 18 and 45 comprise the majority of those with major depression. Depression also has a venomous blow on the economy, both in reduced productivity and more consumption of limited health care resources. In the workplace, depression is a principal cause of absenteeism and diminished productivity.
The sad fact is that only a few patients with mood disorders seek professional help for fear of embarrassment or ridicule. Most of these individuals are diagnosed with a mood disorder when seeking help for another medical disorder. Today, mood disorders account for a large portion of health care costs. Many individuals do not want to be stigmatized and ask for expensive and unnecessary tests to look for another cause that may account for their symptoms. Many individuals go through unnecessary therapies for physical disorders which do not exist, whilst the mood disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated.
Bridges To Recovery specializes in treating patients with mood disorders – their comfortable and peaceful treatment environment allows their clients to find recovery in a safe and serene atmosphere.
There is an erroneous belief among lay people that mood disorders are benign. This is far from the truth. The most dreaded complication of major depressive disorder is suicide. At least 10-15 percent of patients who have been hospitalized for depression go on to commit suicide. Worldwide the numbers are much higher and close to 30 percent of all depressed individuals commit suicides. Completed suicides are more widespread among individuals who have severe paranoia or psychotic symptoms, addictive personalities, those who experience stressful life events, have a chronic medical illness or a family history of suicidal behavior. In the US, men go on to kill themselves four times more often than women. The magnitude of mood disorder is enormous and has reached epidemic proportions in some parts of the country. With the recent downturn in economy, murder and suicides are reported almost on a daily basis.
Mood disorders also tend to coexist with other mental and physical disorders. Anxiety is a commonly associated disorder in individuals with depression. Substance abuse, excess use of prescription drugs and personality disorders are extremely common in people with mood disorders.
The biggest difficulty with mood disorders is that many individuals have no idea they have the illness and are unwilling to accept such a stigmatized diagnosis.
Bridges To Recovery is a residential treatment center in Pacific Palisades, California – they specialize in treating men & women who are suffering from mood disorders.