Suicide & Mood Disorders

Many adults suffer in silence, rather than seek help from their primary care physician for mood disorders. And if they do ask for help, they may not be open about their symptoms. Don't expect your doctor to understand how you feel just by looking at you. It is just as important to describe and seek treatment for emotional pain as it is for physical pain. Early treatment keeps mood disorders from getting worse, lasting longer or affecting physical health. Tell your physician if you feel depressed, lose interest or pleasure in former activities or if you have alternating depressed and elevated moods. You might be at risk for one of the two more common mood disorders: unipolar/major depression or bipolar (manic depression).

Signs of unipolar depression
Feeling sad, hopeless and having frequent crying spells
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy (including sex)
Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
Thinking about death or suicide
Sleeping too much or too little
Loss of appetite
Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
Trouble paying attention and making decisions
Aches and pains that don’t get better with treatment
Feeling restless, irritated and easily annoyed

Signs of bipolar disorder
People who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing mood shifts. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. These mood shifts, which disrupt normal life activities, distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes. The shifts may also be milder, ranging from sadness to irritability or restlessness.

Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
No pleasure in past interests, social withdrawal
Unexplained aches and pains
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Mood disorders are treatable
Clinical depression or unipolar mood disorder is very treatable. More than 80 percent of those who seek treatment show improvement. Treatments can include antidepressant medication, psychotherapy (talk therapy) or both. Treatment is critical for recovery from bipolar disorder. A combination of medication, talk therapy and support from family, friends and peers can help individuals with bipolar disorder stabilize emotions and behavior. Regular sleeping and eating schedules support recovery, along with daily activities.

How to find out more:
your medications and choices
Mental Health America offers help online for discussing medications with doctors, including "Treatment Options for Recovery" and "Antipsychotic Medications Checklist." Pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies can also answer questions about medication package inserts for medical information telephone numbers. You can also contact Mental Health America Resource Center at 800-969-6642 to find a Drug Information Center operated by a hospital in your area. Take all medications as prescribed and don’t change medications or dosages without first checking with your doctor.

Suicide prevention, helpline
Self-destructive thinking can be part of mood disorders. If you have thoughts about suicide, don't keep them secret. Get help right away. Tell you doctor, your family and your friends. Have crisis hotline numbers, your doctor’s emergency number and other crisis resources at hand, posted by your home phone and programmed into a cell phone. In a crisis or emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255.