Mood Disorders

The following are the most common types of mood disorders:

1. Major depression: a two week period of a either depressed or irritable mood or a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities, along with other signs of a mood disorder.
2. Dysthymia (in other words, dysthymic disorder): chronic, low-grade, depressed or irritable mood for at least one year.
3. excited depression (in other words, bipolar disorder) at least one episode of a depressed or irritable mood and at least one period of a manic (persistently elevated) mood.
4. Mood disorder due to a general medical condition-many medical illnesses (for example; cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic medical illnesses) can trigger symptoms of depression.
5. Substance induced mood disorder-symptoms of depression that are due to the effects of medication, drug abuse, exposure to toxins, or other forms of treatment.

The classification of affective disorders in ICD-10 and DSM-IV:

Depending upon age also the type of mood disorder present, a person may exhibit different symptoms of depression. The following are the most common symptoms of a mood disorder. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms may include:

1. Persistent feelings of sadness.
2. Feeling either hopeless or helpless.
3. Having low self-esteem.
4. Feeling inadequate.
5. Excessive guilt.
6. Feelings of wanting to die.
7. Loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed.
8. Difficulty with relationships.
9. Sleep disturbances (i.e., insomnia, hypersomnia).
10. Changes in appetite or weight.
11. Decreased energy.
12. Difficulty concentrating.
13. A decrease in the ability to make decisions.
14. Either Suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Other Symptoms:

15. Frequent physical complaints (i.e., headache, stomach ache, fatigue).
16. Running away or threats of running away from home.
17. Hypersensitivity to either failure or rejection.

18. Irritability, hostility, aggression.
19. In mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than what a person may normally feel from time to time.
20. It is also of concern if these feelings continue over a period of time, or interferes with an individual’s interest in family, friends, community, or work.
21. Any person who expresses thoughts of suicide should be evaluated immediately.
22. The symptoms of mood disorders may resemble other conditions or psychiatric problems. In detail, Physician should make proper diagnosis for that.

What causes mood disorders is not well known.

• Basically, There are chemicals in the brain, call endorphins that are responsible for positive moods.
• Other chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, regulate endorphins.
• Most likely, depression ( and other )mood disorders is cause by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
• Life events (such as unwanted changes in life) may also contribute to a depressed mood.
• Affective disorders aggregate in families also considered to be multifactorial inherited.
• Multi-factor inheritance means that “many factors” are involved. Additionally, The factors are usually both genetic and environmental, where a combination of genes from both parents, in addition to unknown environmental factors, produces the trait or condition.
• Often one gender (either male or female) affected more frequently than the other in multi-factor traits.
• There appears to be a different threshold of expression, which means that one gender is more likely to show the problem, over the other gender.

Risk factors

•  Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. However, mood disorders are more intense also difficult to manage than normal feelings of sadness.
• Children, adolescents, or adults who have a parent with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder.
• However, life, events and stress can expose or exaggerate feelings of sadness or depression, making the feelings more difficult to manage .
• Sometimes, life’s problems can trigger depression. In detail, Being fired from a job, getting divorced, losing a loved one, death in the. family, also , financial trouble, to name a few, all can be difficult also coping with the pressure may be troublesome.
• These life events and stress can bring on feelings of either sadness or depression or make a mood disorder harder to manage.

Other factors

• The chance for depression in females in the general population is nearly twice as high (12 per cent) as it is for males (6.6 per cent). Once a person in the family has this diagnosis, the chance for their siblings or children to have the same diagnosis is increase.
• In addition, relatives of persons with depression are also at increase risk for bipolar disorder (excited depression).
• The chance for excited depression ( or bipolar disorder) in males and females in the general population is about 1 per cent. Once a person in the family has this diagnosis, the chance for their siblings or children to have the same diagnosis increased. In addition, relatives of persons with wild depression are also at increased risk for depression.

1. Arsenicum album :

Anxious, insecure, and perfectionist people who need this remedy may set high standards for themselves and others and become depressed if their expectations are not met. Worry about material security sometimes borders on despair. When feeling ill, these people can be demanding and dependent, even suspicious of others, fearing their condition could be serious.

2. Aurum metallicum:

Generally, This remedy can be helpful to serious people, strongly focused on work and achievement, which become depressed if they feel they have failed in some way. Additionally, Discouragement, self-reproach, humiliation, and anger can lead to “feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. All in all, The person may feel worse at night, with nightmares or insomnia.

3. Calcarea carbonica:

A dependable, industrious person who becomes overwhelmed from too much worry, work, or physical illness may benefit from this remedy. Moreover, Anxiety, fatigue, confusion, discouragement, self-pity, and a dread of disaster may develop. Lastly, A person who needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion.

4. Causticum:

A person who feels depressed because of grief also loss ( either recent or over time) may benefit from this remedy. Furthermore, Frequent crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness (with anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc.) are other indications. In detail, People who need this remedy are often deeply sympathetic toward others and, having  a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world.

5. Cimicifuga:

A person who needs this remedy can be energetic and talkative when feeling well, but upset and gloomy when depressed-with exaggerated fears (of insanity, of being attacked, of disaster). Painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck are often seen when this remedy is needed.

6. Ignatia amara:

Sensitive people who suffer grief or disappointment and try to keep the hurt inside may benefit from this remedy. Wanting not to cry or appear too vulnerable to others, they may seem guarded, defensive, and moody. They may also burst out laughing, or into tears, for no apparent reason. A feeling of a lump in the throat and heaviness in the chest with frequent sighing or yawning are strong indications for Ignatia. Insomnia ( or excessive sleeping), headaches, and cramping pains in the abdomen and back are also often seen.

7. Kali phosphoricum:

If a person feels depressed after working too hard, being physically ill, or going through prolonged emotional stress or excitement, this remedy can be helpful. Exhausted, nervous, and jumpy, they may have difficulty in working or concentrating-and become discouraged and lose confidence. Headaches from mental effort, easy perspiration, and sensitivity to cold, anaemia, in- somnia, and indigestion often seen when this remedy is needed.

8. Natrum carbonicum:

Individuals who need this remedy are usually mild, gentle, and selfless- making an effort to be cheerful and helpful, and avoiding conflict whenever possible. After being hurt or disappointed, they can become depressed, but keep their feelings to themselves. Even when feeling lonely, they withdraw to rest or listen to sad music, which can isolate them even more, Nervous and physically sensitive (to sun, to weather changes, and to many food, especially milk), they may also get depress when feeling weak or ill.

9. Natrum muriaticum:

People who need this remedy seem reserved, responsible, and private yet have strong inner feelings (grief, romantic attachment, anger, or fear of misfortune) that they rarely show. Even though they want other people to feel for them, they can act affronted or angry if someone tries to console them, and need to be alone to cry. Anxiety, brooding about past grievances, migraines, back pain, and insomnia can also be experienced when the person is depressed. A craving for salt and tiredness from sun exposure are other indications for this remedy.

10. Pulsatilla:

People who need this remedy have a childlike softness and sensitivity-e-and can also be whiny, jealous, and moody. When depressed, they are sad and tearful, wanting a lot of attention and comforting. Crying, fresh air, also gentle exercise usually improve their mood. Besides this, Getting too warm or being in a . stuffy room can increase anxiety. Depression around the time of hormonal changes (puberty, either menstrual periods, or menopause) can often be helped with Pulsatilla.

11. Sepia:

People who feel weary, irritable, also indifferent to family members, and worn out by the demands of everyday life may respond to this remedy. Basically, They want to be left alone and may respond in an angry or cutting way if -anyone bothers them. They often feel better especially from crying, but would rather have others keep their distance and not try to console them or cheer them up. All in all, Menstrual problems, a sagging feeling in internal organs, sluggish digestion, and improvement from vigorous exercise are other indications for this remedy.

12. Staphysagria:

In general; Quiet, sensitive, emotional people who have difficulty standing up for themselves may benefit from this remedy. Hurt feelings, shame, resentment, also suppressed emotions can lead them to depression. If under too much pressure, they can sometimes lose their natural inhibition and fly into rages or throw things. Besides this, A person who needs this remedy may also have insomnia feeling sleepy all day, but unable to sleep at night), toothaches, headaches, stomach aches, or bladder infections that are stress-related.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders is a category of mental health problems that include all types of depression and bipolar disorder. Additionally, It is sometimes called affective disorders.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Mood Disorders?

• Arsenicum album
• Aurum metallicum
• Calcarea carbonica
• Causticum
• Cimicifuga
• Ignatia
• Kali phos

What are the types of Mood Disorders?

• Major depression
• Dysthymia (in other words; dysthymic disorder)
• excited depression (bipolar disorder)
• Mood disorder due to a general medical condition
• Substance induced mood disorder

What causes Mood Disorders?

• Chemical imbalance in the brain
• Life events
• Multifactorial inherited
• Genetic and environmental

Give the symptoms of Mood Disorders?

• Persistent feelings of sadness.
• Feeling either hopeless or helpless.
• Having low self-esteem.
• Feeling inadequate.
• Excessive guilt.
• Feelings of wanting to die.
• Loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed.
• Difficulty with relationships.
• Sleep disturbances

Homoeopathy in treatment of psychological disorders by Shilpa Harwani.