In a mood disorder, the general mood or the emotional state of a person is not consistent or is distorted with the circumstances. This emotional state interferes with one’s ability to perform even the daily activities. One may feel terribly sad, hollow from inside or irritable; in short one may be depressed, or one may be having moments of extreme depression immediately followed by extreme happiness at the next moment; in short one may be suffering from mania.
Anxiety disorders are also known to cause mood changes and are often seen accompanying the depression. One suffering from mood disorders is at an increased risk of committing suicide.
Prognosis For Mood Disorders
Some of the mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder may have a tendency to recur or may go on for a long time. Hence, these may require a long duration of treatment or, in some cases, lifetime treatment too. One of the most important things in improving the prognosis of the disease is to take the prescribed medicines as per the advice and precisely on time, without missing any doses. The results or effects of the medicines or a noticeable change in symptoms may show anywhere from two to six weeks after commencement of the therapy. Another thing to be followed is not stopping the medicines even after you start feeling better for your condition. A continuation of therapy beyond that is the key to keep the symptoms and the disorder in control.
If you are facing any kind of side effects with your prescribed medicines, it is a good idea to ask your doctors about a change in medicines or any substitutes, instead of just discontinuing the therapy.
Also, if you feel the medicines you are taking are ineffective, it is better to ask your doctor for a change in doses or medicines instead of stopping them altogether. Such a discontinuation can cause more harm than good. It is always better to discuss with your doctor first about changing or stopping any prescribed medications.
One of the most developed and established methods of treatment is psychotherapy. It has proven to be immensely beneficial in treating mood disorders. Psychotherapy is many times used in combination with medication and brain stimulation therapy. Psychotherapy alone can treat some of the more minor forms of depression, without any medication or additional therapy.
In absence of success with other treatment methods, brain stimulation therapy is given. This is especially in people with severe symptoms, as they do not respond to medication or psychotherapy as expected. Also, it is given in those persons who are intolerant to medicines or show extreme side effects.
Every person suffering from a mood disorder is different from the other. Hence, the treatment strategies used to treat them may also vary according to the needs and the condition of the patient.
The prognosis of mood disorders largely depends upon the extent of the disorder, the duration that the person has been suffering from that particular disorder and the continuity of therapy and medications as per the advice of the healthcare specialist.
Treatment Of Mood Disorders
The treatment of mood disorders varies from person to person, since each person shows his own different set of signs and symptoms. The treatment usually comprises of a combination of different strategies like psychotherapy and medications, according to the need.
Medications-
Medicines like anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics may be used
Psychotherapy-
This basically concentrates on talking or counseling sessions. This therapy may include-
- CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
- Problem- solving therapy
- Brain stimulation therapies may be given in some which may include electroconvulsive therapy or ECT and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or rTMS
- Sometimes treatment may be required for seasonal depression
With proper and prompt diagnosis, a timely treatment and continuation of prescribed medicines for the recommended period, the prognosis of mood disorders can be highly improved.
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