The mood disorders are so called because it is the abnormality of mood. Mood is a peculiar state of mind, and it differs from emotions and feelings.
Mood disorder is divided into.
Unipolar depression-here the person suffers from one or more episodes of lowered mood.
Bipolar disorder-here the person experiences episodes of elevated mood but not always interspersed with depression.
Dysthymia-it is the chronic low grade depression.
Manic episode
In this state, the person is in an exaggerated or elated mood, and he becomes extremely irritable, or aggressive or hostile that is disproportionate to the circumstances.
And in these moods, they fall into sexual or financial discretions, and they won’t accept the likely consequences.
DEPRESSION
It is another mood disorder and one of the major causes for suicide and disability. Here the person becomes depressed and loss of interest and pleasure and with reduced energy.
The episodes can be mild to severe depending on the symptoms and their approach to the family and day to day work. And depression is usually associated with anxiety and or with coexisting anxiety disorder such as agoraphobias or social phobias.
Aetiology of depression
There is a genetic predisposition to depression.
Social factors
Like loss of job
Loss of family members, friends, health, money, status, etc.
Symptoms of depression
Hopelessness
Depressed mood
Reduced self-esteem
Loss of interest
Poor concentration
Guilt
Suicidal thoughts
Pessimism
Reduced appetite
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Weight changes
Constipation
Loss of libido
Tension
Anxiety
Criteria for depressive mood
In order to establish a depressive mood the following criteria is important.
1-Depressive mood for almost all the days for most of the days
2-marked loss of interest or pleasure in the surroundings or activities all most every day for most of the days
3-Weight loss or weight gain with increased appetite or with reduced appetite
4-Loss of sleep or excessive sleepiness almost every day
5-Dull feeling or agitated almost every day.
6-Guilty feeling or feeling of worthlessness almost every day
7-Excessive fatigue or loss of energy everyday
8-Decreased ability to think or concentrate almost every day.
9-Frequent thought of suicide or death
At least 5 or more of the above symptoms, including 1 and 2 must be present for at least 2 weeks representing a change from previous functioning.
Causes for depression
Genetic factor plays a major role in the causation of depression.
Social factors- adverse experiences and emotional deprivation early in life also predisposes to depression. Events like loss of job, health, money, status, etc. also cause depression.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy has got a better treatment schedule for the treatment of mood disorders, whether is for swinging of mood or depression. The advantage is that it is safe from side effects.
The treatment should be continued over a period, and the patient can interact with his surroundings like a normal man.
Usual medicines are Pulsatilla. Aurum met, Staphysagria, Lachesis, etc.;
