How Can I Understand the Complexity of Mood Disorders?

How Can I Understand the Complexity of Mood Disorders?

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An estimated 21.4% of people are affected by mood disorders at some point in their lives. There are various recognized mood disorders, all of which affect an individual’s emotions to an extreme level for extended periods. Attempting to navigate the ups and downs of the emotions within a mood disorder can be incredibly challenging. Understanding the basics of these disorders is an important step in grasping the true complexity of mood disorders.

How Many Mood Disorders Are There?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines mood disorders as representing a “category of mental illnesses in which the underlying problem primarily affects a person’s persistent emotional state (their mood).” Given such broad criteria, it is difficult to put an exact figure on the number of mood disorders. However, the two most commonly recognized mood disorders are:

  • Depression and any subtypes
  • Bipolar disorder, including type I, type II, and other subtypes

Each mood disorder is unique in its own right. However, all mood disorders affect the individual’s emotions significantly.

Depression

Depression has many subtypes. However, it can be generally defined as a disorder that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. These activities may include sleeping, eating, or working.

Depression is a common mental health disorder; an estimated 280 million people in the world face depression. Despite its prevalence, depression should be taken seriously. Regardless of the type, it is a treatable disorder.

Some of the most common types of depression include the following:

  • Major depression: Consistent depression symptoms that interfere with daily life
  • Dysthymia: Also referred to as persistent depressive disorder, it is a condition that typically lasts two or more years resulting in symptoms of depression
  • Perinatal depression: Occurs when a woman experiences major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression)
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Depression that comes and goes with the seasons, generally starting in fall/winter and going away during spring and summer
  • Depression with symptoms of psychosis: A severe form of depression, including psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations
  • Substance-induced depression: A form of depression that is caused by medicine, substance abuse, toxin exposure, or other forms of treatment
  • Health condition-related depression: Depression triggered by an underlying health issue such as cancer or other chronic illness

Bipolar Disorder

There are three main types of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. Any form of bipolar disorder is treatable. The three types include bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder.

While all types of bipolar disorder affect an individual’s mood and emotions, they differ in various ways:

  • Bipolar I: Symptoms of bipolar I interfere with an individual’s daily life. During manic episodes, they experience extreme elevations in mood and energy.
  • Bipolar II: These symptoms are shorter and less intense than that of bipolar I. The individual experiences elevated mood during hypomanic episodes.
  • Cyclothymic disorder: This is a rare disorder that causes emotional ups and downs that are not as extreme as those found in bipolar I or II.

The Effects of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, when left untreated, can be very destructive to a person’s mental health. Given the nature of depression, when ignored, it can result in an even deeper state of depression, leading to other complications. Among these is an increased risk of substance abuse, excessive anger, or irritability. Depression can even lead to suicide.

There are also a number of physical health effects from mood disorders. These may include insomnia, weight changes, digestive issues, and more. It is imperative to seek treatment if you think you or a loved one may be struggling with a mood disorder.

Untreated mood disorders can also severely impact the co-workers, friends, and loved one’s around the individual. These disorders result in drastic mood changes. Those nearby can often also struggle with these effects. Close relationships can be harmed and are often lost due to the nature of an untreated mood disorder. Work-life and financial status are also at risk from the consistently-changing moods of the individual.

It can be challenging as a bystander to navigate another person’s mood when it is regularly and drastically adjusting. This difficulty causes stress and rifts within a relationship with the individual. Reaching out for help is key to finding balance in an individual’s mood disorder.

Mood Disorder Treatments

Seeking treatment as soon as signs and symptoms are noticed will help significantly in preventing mood disorders from progressing. The right facility with people who care is essential to successful treatment. There are three main treatment options available for mood disorders:

  1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A common form of “talk therapy” in which the individual works one-on-one with a therapist.
  2. Interpersonal therapy: This therapy is a short-term program that focuses on the relationships in a person’s life and pairs well with CBT.
  3. Medication: Prescription medication can play an important and beneficial role in treating various types of mood disorders and often goes alongside CBT,

No matter what mood disorder you or your loved one may have, the important thing is that it is treatable. Living life in the dark while navigating mood changes can be stressful, but help is out there. You need only reach out your hand, and someone will be there to turn on the light.

We understand that mood disorders can be challenging to navigate and live comfortably with. Finding a happy balance does not have to be a complex or scary process. It takes courage to reach out, and we are proud of this step you have taken. You are not alone in this process; we want to help bring clarity and simplicity to your daily life. At Alter Behavioral Health, our mission is to help you achieve a life of happiness. Call us today at (866) 691-4386, and let us take the complexity out of your mood disorder so you can get back to enjoying life as it comes, the way you deserve. 

Can Pets Help With Anxiety?

Can Pets Help With Anxiety?

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Life brings on a multitude of feelings. Happiness from good remarks at work, excitement over a new baby, or joy from sweet puppy kisses and cuddly kittens. However, with these wonderful emotions, life also brings complications. Unexpected bills come up, crowded birthday parties are inevitable, and sudden changes in life can spur one negative feeling: anxiety. Affecting more than 264 million individuals worldwide and nearly one in five American adults each year, anxiety is one of the leading mental health disorders in the world.

What Is Anxiety?

Experiencing anxiety from time to time is expected in the average day-to-day life. However, anxiety disorders are more than fleeting feelings of worry or stress. People who struggle with an anxiety disorder undergo persistent feelings of anxiety. These feelings do not go away and generally worsen as time passes when left untreated.

Without seeking proper guidance and care, anxiety can lead to more severe health concerns. These may include depression, substance use disorders (SUDs), chronic illness, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Anxiety comes in many forms which varying symptoms, which are as follows:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): An anxiety disorder involving recurring anxiety and excessive worry or stress. Additionally, feelings of being tense and on edge occur even when stressful situations do not arise.
  • Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): An anxiety disorder involving overwhelming anxiety and extreme self-consciousness when encountering social situations. It can be triggered by just one specific kind of event or multiple. In more severe cases, it may be triggered by simply being around other people at any time.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): An anxiety disorder involving recurrent, unwanted thoughts or obsessions. It may also include repetitive behaviors, which are referred to as compulsions. These compulsions may consist of repetitive hand washing, counting, or cleaning. Compulsions are completed to alleviate the persistent and unwanted obsessions. However, this only allows temporary relief.

In addition to the above disorders, the following are also recognized as anxiety disorders

  • Panic disorder: An anxiety disorder characterized by sudden and recurring episodes of intense fear. These are often paired with physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): An anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event involving severe physical harm or danger. These events may include physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, serious car accidents, or military-related combat.

Pets and Anxiety

Studies have shown that pets can significantly assist in the treatment and management of any anxiety disorder that an individual may face. Those fuzzy paws and goofy grins bring so much unconditional love and joy. How could they not help you with the challenges of anxiety? The mental health benefits of having a pet have been so effective that the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized emotional support animals (ESA) and service animals in 2010.

Service Animals

As defined by the ADA, a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These may include a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Service animals are generally allowed in most public places and stores.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Also referred to as “comfort animals,” the ADA states these pets are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals. However, they are not considered service animals under the ADA. As a result, their public access rights differ significantly.

How Can Pets Help With Anxiety?

In 2020, an estimated 70% of households in the United States had one or more pets. Besides lots of cuddly kisses and unlimited, unconditional love, pets provide a plethora of emotional support and service to their handlers and family members. This kind of care is something that these pets naturally give without ever being asked.

Some of the many benefits that pets provide include:

  • Increased physical activity: Pet owners are far more likely to be active in order to keep their fur-family members happy. Whether taking the dog for a walk or playing with an energetic kitten, increased exercise is an excellent benefit to managing anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins in the body, which result in better moods and positive feelings.
  • Self-esteem boost: The love and support provided by pets result in a significant boost to overall confidence, which can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
  • Routine building: Having a pet requires specific responsibilities that ultimately create a routine for the day. A structure can help lessen anxiety.
  • Ease loneliness: The companionship found with beloved pets ensures that individuals have a loved one to come home to every day and wake up to every morning. This can help people feel less lonely and have a sense of belonging.

With all of these benefits, a common theme persists – less anxiety.

Treatment or Pets?

Individuals can have both! When pairing the emotional support of a loved fur family with proper treatment, people end up with an even more well-rounded management plan for anxiety. Joining an all-encompassing anxiety treatment program can help individuals successfully control the anxiety that has been trying to control them.

A therapist can help individuals find the right medication to stay on top of their anxiety. They can also help individuals come up with more enjoyable tasks that include pets to combat anxiety. By combining treatment with the many benefits that pets provide, people can achieve brighter, better days for a joyful future to come.

Facing anxiety can make you miss the things you love the most. It can complicate your life and hold your happiness away from you. You deserve more than that. At Alter Behavioral Health, we care about you and your well-being. We understand the challenges that come with anxiety, and we want nothing more than to help you overcome these difficulties to find peace once more. You don’t have to let anxiety control you. You can control it instead. Let us help you achieve your goals and show you what life can really be. Call Alter Behavioral Health today at (866) 691-4386 for the next steps in reaching an anxiety-free life.