SADNESS, DEPRESSION, AND MOOD DISORDERS
Ups and downs are part of life, as are ups and downs in our moods. However, when the lows are too low, and the highs are causing us issues in our daily lives, is it possible that we’re looking at at picture of depression and other mood disorders?
WHEN are fluctuations in mood A PROBLEM?
Variations in our mood become a problem when (1) they are excessive, and (2) they affect our ability to function at work, play, or just in everyday life. Some examples include:
Feeling so low that you can’t get out of bed and even getting ready in the mornings becomes a real chore
Feeling ‘meh’ in such a way that you haven’t enjoyed yourself or felt happy in some time
Feeling so happy and energetic that you’re on top of the world to the point of feeling invincible - so much so that you’re taking risks that you wouldn’t normally.
TYPES OF MOOD DISORDERS
Depression Is it just the blues or is it a case of depression? The difference depends on the intensity, duration, and impact, so read on to learn more…
Bipolar disorder is more than the ups and downs of everyday life. Instead, the variations in mood (and energy levels) can have significant impacts on functioning. Read on to learn more…
TREATMENT FOR mood disorders
When considering treatment for depression and other mood disorders, the following options may be useful:
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is effective in the management of depression and mood disorders [3]. CBT focusses on challenging unhelpful interpretations that contribute to the exacerbation of mood.
MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY and ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY Like many other ‘new wave’ therapies, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy draws its foundation from CBT. Unlike CBT, which typically involves directly challenging appraisals and interpretations, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy teaches the person to change their relationship to their thoughts. This means that distressing thoughts have less power over the person.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. Speak to your GP if your depressed mood is affecting your daily functioning. If bipolar disorder is a likely diagnosis, a medical review by a GP and/or psychiatrist is essential and consider psychological treatments as a useful adjunct to medication.
If you think depression or mood disorders may be affecting you, why not Contact Us for a tailored approach?
If you are in crisis please contact the following numbers, which provide 24/7 assistance (all numbers are based in Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids helpline 1800 55 1800 (for individuals up to age of 25)
The Samaritans 13 52 47
Mens Helpline 1300 78 99 78
or contact emergency services on 000
REFERENCES
[1] American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington: American Psychiatric Publishing.
[2] Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Andersson, G., Quigley, L., Kleiboer, A., & Dobson, K. S. (2013). A meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural therapy for adult depression, alone and in comparison with other treatments. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 58(7), 376-385.
[3] Jones, S., Lam, D., & Tyler, E. (2014). Bipolar disorder. In A. Carr & M. McNulty (Eds)The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology (2nd ed, pp. 607-634). New York: Routledge.
[4] Szentagotai, A., & David, D. (2010). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in bipolar disorder: A quantitative meta-analysis. The Journal of clinical psychiatry. doi: 10.4088/JCP.08r04559yel
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