The Leviathan's Grook : Mood Disorders



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Mood Disorders


       The following are clinical mood disorders, listed from the most intense to the least.





Major depression or unipolar disorder: "...a disorder of mood with severe and prolonged feelings of sadness and related symptoms that impair efficiency"


Bipolar disorder or Manic-Depressive Illness: "...a disorder of mood in which there are severe mood swings so that a depressed mood alternates in cycles with an elated or irritable state called mania", "a severe, although intermittent illness characterized by episodes of depression alternation with excessive euphoria, increased energy, and poor judgment..." "...what one thinks of as 'classic' manic-depressive illness...the most severe form of affective illness..." .


Bipolar II disorder: "characterized by milder periods of euphoria that alternate with periods of despondency and depression, also produces instability of mood that many find painful and that usually requires somatic treatment" "...the presence or history of less severe manic episodes, as well as the existence or history of less severe depressive episodes..."


Cyclothymia: a temperament characterized by alternation of lively and depressed moods believed to predispose the individual toward manic-depressive insanity "...-characterized by pronounced but not totally debilitating changes in mood, behavior, thinking, sleep, and energy levels..."






       In particular I am interested in Cyclothymia:


Clinical Criteria for Cyclothymia

GENERAL
  • Onset in teens or early adulthood
  • Clinical presentation as a personal disorder (patient often unaware of "moods" per se)
  • Short cycles-usually days-which are recurrent in an irregular fashion
  • May not attain full syndrome for depression and hypomania during any one cycle, but entire range of affective manifestations occurs at various times
  • ...mood changes, i.e., often waking up with a mood


    BIPHASIC COURSE
  • Hypersomnia alternating with decreased need for sleep (although intermitent insomnia can also occur)
  • Shaky self-esteem which alternates between lack of self-confidence and naive or grandiose overconfidence
  • Periods of mental confusion and apathy, alternating with periods of sharpened and creative thinking
  • Marked unevenness in quantity and quality of productivity, often associated with unusual working hours
  • Uninhibited people-seeking (that may lead to hypersexuality) alternating with introverted self-absorption


    BEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS
  • Irritable-angry-explosive outbursts that alienate loved ones
  • Episodic promiscuity; repeated conjual or romantic failure
  • Frequent shift in line of work, study, interest or future plans
  • Resort to alcohol and drug abuse as a means for self-treatment...
  • Occasional financial extravagance





           Most ADDers are also pretty prone to quick mood changes. Manifestations are very similar to cyclothymia in my view. Here are the Mining Company links to ADD & depression.



    P e r s o n a l l y . . . .


           I think it is possible that the ADD need to feel focussed, intense and stimulated causes the blues in my case. The emptiness can be interpreted as the loss of focus and stimulation.


           If it isn't ADD, then I've simply got mood disorder.


           The most usual times I get the blues are immediately after I finish something highly fulfilling, like a project perhaps, or after a cycling trip or holiday. There's a name for this kind of down-swing mood that comes after a highly stimulating experience, but as usual, I've forgotten. Anyone who knows what the technical name for it is, please drop me an email ~!


           Now that I've rationalised my depressions with the psychological magic wand, I find that it also explains my up-swing moods. You'd never guess that I'm an introvert :)
    		• . The Razor's Edge
    A Possible ADDer Speaks ~!


    Mood Disorder Websites

  • Into the Arms of Madness ( Depressions and Bipolar Disorders )

  • Andrew's Depression Page

  • Joy Ickelman's Cybersite- Bipolar Disorder

  • The Bipolar Planet

  • Fyrenlyce

  • Yahoo Bipolar Links.




    From Main Body
  • ADD & depression.


    Depression is a common component of Attention Deficit Disorder, in that many adults are commonly misdiagnosed depression. Actually depression accompanies ADD in many cases becauses of the damage to self-esteem and confidence brought about by not being able to perform like normals.

    What cyclothymia, and the rest of the bipolar disorders offers, is the link to creativity, an important lead because most ADDers also tend to be highly creative.

    Let's not be pulling any punches. I read somewhere that one mark of maturity is being able to admit to being no less than what you are. Lotsa normal people are creative, but it is within the ranks of the ADDed and the bipolar depressed that you find higher percentages of creativity.

    And don't let them tell you otherwise.












    * Mania: excitement of psychotic propositions manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood 2: excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm: a violent desire, passion, or particality: CRAZE

    Hypersomnia: over propensity for sleep, as opposed to insomnia






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