Mood Disorders
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
A mood disorder
is a medical condition that makes it hard for you to control your mood or emotions. Your mood can affect your personality, behavior, and outlook on life. A mood disorder is also called an affective disorder.
Common signs and symptoms of a mood disorder:
- Changes in your eating habits, energy level, weight, or sleeping patterns
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling hopeless, anxious, or sad
- Loss of interest in daily or enjoyable activities
- Irritability or frequent mood swings
- Low sex drive
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You feel like you want to hurt yourself or others.
Call your doctor or therapist if:
- You feel more depressed or anxious than usual.
- Your medicine causes you to feel drowsy, keeps you awake, or affects how much you eat.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment for mood disorder
will depend on the cause of your mood disorder and how severe your symptoms are. You may need any of the following:
- Medicines can help control your moods.
- Talk therapy can help identify stressors in your life and how to deal with them. Talk therapy can be with a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. Sessions may be one-on-one or with family.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Manage your symptoms:
- Try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Contact your healthcare provider if you have trouble sleeping.
- Manage stress. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing or meditation.
- Talk to someone about how you feel. Join a support group. Talk to your healthcare provider, family, or friends about your feelings.
- Exercise regularly. Ask about the best exercise plan for you. Most healthcare providers recommend 30 minutes each day, 5 days a week. Exercise helps to lower stress and manage moods.
Follow up with your doctor or therapist as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Mood Disorders
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
