Mood Disorders
The Myths and Realities
Reality: Depression's cause is actually a physical problem in the brain. There is not enough serotonin in the brain so even if the person suffering wanted to they wouldn't be able to snap out of it.
Reality: Depression can actually be cause by many things. Along with tragedy, it can also be caused by genetics and chemical inbalance in the brain.
Reality: It is actually a mood disorder where the mother feels like she could harm the baby. She also has intense worry about the baby and can even have thoughts of suicide.
Reality: There are actually many ways to treat depression. A person suffering can be treated through psychotherapy and by antidepressant medication. Both of those treatments work well but usually medications have the most help.
Reality: Though these medications can be very effective, they do not work for everybody. For those that the medication does not work, psychotherapy is the best option.
Reality: Depression has many different symptoms. Some of these include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in behavior, persistent thoughts of death, and an overall change in behavior.
Reality: Though mania can seem like it's fun, once someone begin to spiral out of control it can become very dangerous to the person suffering and people around them.
Reality: Hallucinations are actually a symptom of bipolar disorder and can be magnified with the use of medication in some cases.
Reality: There are two main types of bipolar disorder. One is where the person is in the manic phase for long periods and the depressed phase for short periods. The second phase is where the person is in the depressed phase for long periods and the manic phase for short. Along with this, there are rapid and ultra rapid cycling where the person switches between the phases more often.
Reality: Anyone with a mood disorder can be suicidal. 15% with bipolar disorder try to commit suicide.