Mood disorders are a category of mental illness that cause a significant change in a person’s mood. Depression is a common feature of mental illness with 20% of the US population reports at least one symptom of depression a month. Various types of mood disorders identify depression as the main issue, can hinder a person’s normal function in day to day life. Read our blog “10 Types of Depression" where we discuss different types of depression and how neurofeedback can be used to calm symptoms to improve quality of life.
Emotional symptoms of mood disorders include:
Physical symptoms of mood disorders include:
There are many factors that may contribute to the development of mood disorders. Genetics and biological factors have been connected to a person’s predisposition to developing mood disorders in addition to other factors including environmental factors and nutrition. Combinations of these factors affect how neurotransmitters, or chemicals in the brain, interact, causing a brain imbalance responsible for the mood disorder.
Physical illness is greatly associated with mood disorders, with 25% of hospitalized medical patients exhibiting signs of depression. Chronic medical conditions often involve a level of stress that can change brain chemistry, resulting in mood disorders. Coexisting mental health conditions have a high likelihood of developing with mood disorders. For example, anxiety is a common occurrence with depressive disorders. Studies show 15%-30% of people suffering from major depression also experience panic attacks.
The relationship between substance abuse and mood disorders is a very serious psychiatric concern. Substance abuse can be partly responsible for someone developing a mood disorder. In fact, sometimes the symptoms of major depression in an addiction case will disappear when the substance abuse has stopped. On the other hand, mood disorders can also be responsible for a person developing dependence on a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, in an effort to cope with the mood disorder.
Neurofeedback aims to retrain the brain to function healthily and normally so a person is able to live life without the heavy burden of suffering from a mood disorder. As mentioned, mood disorders are related to brain chemistry. If parts of the brain are not functioning optimally, symptoms will appear. An EEG brain map identifies exactly where the brain is struggling, and neurofeedback sessions target these areas to teach the brain how to function better. The brain is then able to function calmly and the symptoms of mood disorders are eliminated.
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Second photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
