How can I tell if a family member or a friend is suffering from a mood disorder?
The signs to watch for are persistent changes in moods or behaviors that make the person seem different from normal. Perhaps the friend or family member has stopped caring about his or her appearance, is complaining about insomnia, lack of appetite or changes in eating habits. Perhaps he or she is abusing alcohol or drugs, is withdrawing from friends and family, is constantly bored and can no longer concentrate and seems cranky and/or appears tearful for no apparent reason. The person may seem to view everything in a negative way. These are some signs that might indicate a family member or friend has a mood disorder. If you suspect a mood disorder to be the problem, it is important to tell the person that you are concerned about him or her and ask if he or she has considered the possibility that a mood disorder might be present. If he or she seems receptive, you might provide some information (see the list of resources at the end of this handbook). Most importantly, turn to a trusted a
