What are the causes and symptoms of mood disorders?
Mood disorders tend to run in families. These disorders are associated with imbalances in certain chemicals that carry signals between brain cells (neurotransmitters). These chemicals include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Women are more vulnerable to unipolar depression than are men. Major life stressors (like divorce, serious financial problems, death of a family member, etc.) will often provoke the symptoms of depression in susceptible people. Major depression is more serious than just feeling “sad” or “blue.” The symptoms of major depression may include: • Loss of appetite • A change in sleep patterns, like not sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or inappropriate guilt • Fatigue • Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions • Overwhelming and intense feelings of sadness or grief • Disturbed thinking. The person may also have physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. Bipolar disorder includes mania or hypomania. M
