Mood
Mood disorders are among the most common problems in a psychiatric practice. As many as 25% of women will have an episode of depression in their lifetime. A much smaller percentage of adults will experience a manic episode. Depression is an insidious problem that makes people their own worst enemy. Depressed individuals often feel hopeless about their situation and deeply negative about their own self-worth. Sometimes some people will think of or try to harm themselves based on these distorted visions. This creates a vicious cycle in which people do not seek help and believe that they are destined to suffer. Many people who are depressed feel that they are less resilient emotionally than they are typically. Untreated depression can persist for over a year and can result in serious disability, neglect of self-care and other responsibilities. Depression in adolescence can be very harmful if left untreated. Teens require careful monitoring to avoid complications. Later in life adults with depression can have severe problems when depressed especially if there is already cognitive impairment. The elderly require thoughtful assessment yet often respond remarkably well to treatment. Some individuals will develop a bipolar mood disorder that can be dramatic but is more often subtle to diagnose. While this is much less common we have learned to be very cautious not to misdiagnose a bipolar mood episode. Modern treatment with psychotherapy and medications can rapidly and effectively alleviate many symptoms and help people return to a place where they are more comfortable, safe and productive. Current thinking suggests that we must use antidepressants and mood stabilizers as soon as possible to avoid the damage that can ensue from chronically untreated mood disorders.