Do you know the causes of mood disorders? (Bipolar, alcoholism, ADHD in children)

Mood disorders or mood changes are typical of various psychiatric and mental disorders. It is not always a disorder or illness.

Some changes and disturbances may have their cause in a previous stimulus from the external environment, for example in the case of stressful and tense situations.

Then it is natural for a person to have less emotional stability.

Often mood changes are related to temperament or to a particular period in life. Mood changes are also conditioned by the environment.

Mood disorders and mood changes are manifested either by euphoria or depression. In euphoria, a person feels overactive and overly energetic. In depression, he is apathetic, uninterested in the things around him and in general in a bad mood.

Mood swings cause psychological disorders

Very often and typically, mood changes occur in depressive disorders. They can be short or long term. It is a state of excessive sadness. It is a problem if such a state lasts more than 2 weeks.

That's when you need to see a doctor.

Affective behavioural disorders include manic episodes, which can occur alone or as part of bipolar disorder.

Manic-depressive disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder, is a very serious psychiatric illness. It is characterised by periodic changes in mood, but also in the overall functioning of the body. A person alternates between states of mania and depression.

Mood and behavioural changes are present.

Dysthymia is a prolonged state of lowering of mood as well as activity or energy. Other symptoms such as impaired concentration, feelings of hopelessness, exhaustion and tearfulness are also present. Another form is cyclothymia, which is actually mood alternation. It alternates between states of good mood and mood decline.

Mood swings also occur in psychosis, such as schizophrenia, where there is a breakdown of the personality, especially the emotional part of the psyche. The individual affected by this disorder has frequent changes in behaviour and mood. Consistent and adhered to psychiatric treatment is important even in psychosis.

An example of such a disorder is schizoaffective disorder. A mood disorder is present, namely alternating between morbidly elevated and then lowered moods. In addition, delusions and paranoid fantasies are associated.

Disturbances in memory and rational thought are typical of dementia. This is a mental disorder that is particularly characteristic of the elderly. Mood disorders occur in alternating euphoria, depression and also aggression.

Mood disorders are also caused by alcohol and, of course, other addictive substances such as drugs. When alcohol is consumed in excess, it is already alcoholism. Alcoholism entails a breakdown of personality and intellect and aggressive behaviour.

In delirium, for example, there are disturbances of perception and a state of confusion. The person may be aggressive, hallucinate and have frequent mood swings. Alternatively, he or she may suffer from insomnia and emotional disturbances.

In addition to the effects of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, intoxication (poisoning) is also involved in the development of behavioural changes. This is mainly poisoning by organic solvents such as esters, ethers, glycols. It occurs when ingested through the digestive tract, inhaled and through the skin.

Organic mood disorders arise, for example, after brain damage. This can be the result of alcoholism, after a stroke. Organic brain damage, and thus mood disorders, also arise after serious head injuries.

Mood disorders can also be manifested by anorexia. This is a mental eating disorder characterised mainly by dissatisfaction with one's own weight. It involves restriction of food intake and an exaggerated effort to reduce body weight.

Mood changes in children

Mood disorders and changes in mood, especially in children, are very common in a condition called ADHD. ADHD is an abbreviation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as hyperkinetic disorder.

ADHD is mainly characterized by:

• attention deficit disorder, inattention, inability to maintain concentration
• hyperactivity
• impulsive behaviour

ADHD affects mainly school-age children and is manifested by impaired concentration, learning and hyperactivity, which, together with nervousness, causes changes in mood and behaviour. ADHD is a risk factor for other psychiatric disorders. Other affective disorders, such as manic or depressive episodes, may also occur in childhood as well as in adulthood.

Other illnesses and mood changes

Other illnesses are also manifested by mood changes. These are mainly nervous problems. For example, severe headaches and restlessness are typical in migraine. These factors cause a person to feel nervous and often also mood and behavioural disturbances.

Mood swings as well as nervousness, hypersensitivity and headaches are also present in epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disease manifested by epileptic seizures. Seizures take the form of muscle spasms.

Muscle spasms may be present in a specific part of the muscle groups, but also as generalised body spasms, i.e. spasms of the muscles of the whole body. Then a disturbance of consciousness is also present. After the seizures, but also before them (in the form of aura), a change in mood may be present.

Mood changes and disturbances may also be related to hormone levels. For example, when hormones are overproduced, mood changes range from euphoria to anxiety, nervousness and tearfulness. Similarly, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.

Examples of endocrinological diseases in which behavioural disturbances may occur include:

• Diabetes mellitus, especially when blood sugar levels are low or high.
• thyroid dysfunction, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• parathyroid diseases such as hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism
• Cushing's syndrome
• Addison's disease
• Hyperprolactinemia

Physiological causes can sometimes be behind mood disorders. Very often irritability is manifested by lack of sleep and rest. This is typical of sleep apnoea or insomnia.

Both disorders mainly cause poor quality sleep, lack of sleep, sometimes even frequent interruptions of sleep. As a result, the person is nervous and emotionally unstable. Disorders and mood changes in this case only subside with the cure of the sleep disorder.