Mood Disorders

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by Meredith Bower:''Moods are sustained emotions, which color the way we view life; when someone has a mood disorder, the picture usually is not rosy. People with these disorders have moods that go beyond feeling "blue." Mood disorders can be found across all races and social classes, but are more common among single people without a "significant other."
Experts find that although mood disorders have varying degrees of severity -- which makes them difficult to diagnose -- at the same time, they are the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders. In addition to bipolar disorder, mood disorders include major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depression, characterized by persistently sad, hopeless and worthless feelings, is a debilitating illness that usually reoccurs throughout a person's lifetime. The symptoms of fatigue, lack of focus, changes in appetite and thoughts of suicide interfere with everyday functioning. People with dysthymia have symptoms that are less severe but longer lasting -- for periods of at least two years. Other forms of depression include seasonal affective disorder and postpartum depression.
Depression is a brain disorder most likely caused by a combination of genetics, environmental, biological and psychological factors. Fortunately, depression can be treated and the best results are achieved when treatment begins as soon as depression is diagnosed. Most people with mood disorders benefit from a regimen of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. The key to successful treatment of mood disorders and prevention of future episodes is to continue taking medications and seeking help [source: NIMH]."   There is volumes of material here., we could always go for the frontal lobotomy, might cure headache.

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