Mood Disorder: An Umbrella Term to a Host of Disorders

CU261P
Mood disorder: this is a group of diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV TR) which classifies mental health, this particular one is when a person’s mood is seen to be the underlying cause of mental health issues. This umbrellas a host of disorders, such as; Bipolar Disease (BD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and also less severe depressions such as dysthymic or cyclothymic. Some mood disorders can be substance induced, (due to someone’s drug use) or alcohol induced, and other mood disorders could be just one episode or recurrent.
Personality disorders: social disorders, characterised by an individual’s pattern of behaviour, cognition, and inner experience, these patterns of behaviour are developed early on and are seen to be inflexible and cause distress and/or disability. For the pattern of behaviour to be classed as a disorder it means that the patterns displayed by the individual deviates from the social norms of the majority of society.
Personality disorders: this is a term that covers several forms of mental disorders, which are characterised by excessive worrying, uneasiness, fearfulness and apprehension about future uncertainties, which could be based upon real or imagined events. These can then affect an individual’s physical and psychological health. Some people can experience continuous episodes of these symptoms whilst others are less frequent, so are classified as either generalised anxiety disorders or phobias.
1.2) the strengths of the classification system are that it is structured and allows medical professionals to recognise the disorders and make an informed diagnosis. However there are limitations: it is very black and white and doesn’t give account for other reasons as to why a disorder could occur, such as someone being in severe pain, or having social difficulties such as bullying. It also doesn’t consider that there could be an overlapping of disorders, and therefore can have a detrimental effect on diagnosis and delay the diagnosis and treatment in some circumstances.
1.3) there are alternative frameworks for the diagnosis of mental distress. The first is the biological and medical frame work which considers factors such as brain defects, results of accidents and hereditary diseases when diagnosing any mental distress. There is also a behavioural framework which considers how learned habits can effect an individual and how external stressors combined with the individuals personality can cause result in mental disorder.
1.4) If an individual is suffering from a mental distress or disorder the symptoms of this can be shown in varies ways and medical practitioners will be vigilant to these when diagnosing the individual. The symptoms shown can include:
The individual feeling sad or down for periods of time
The individual withdrawing themselves from social situations
Dramatic changes in the individuals eating habits
The individual’s refusal to take care of them self, (personal hygiene, changing clothes, looking after their property)
Low energy, extreme tiredness
Sleeping problems
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Excessive worrying or feeling of guilt over real or imagined events
Confusion
Extreme highs and extreme lows in the individuals mood
Anger towards others, particular those close to them and without due reason
Hostility and violence towards others or themselves
Changes in the individuals sex drive
Suicidal thoughts
Inability to cope with daily tasks and stressors
Abuse of alcohol or drugs
Sometimes the symptoms can come in the form of a physical pain in the individua’ls chest, abdomen, back, head, and other unexplained aches and pains.
It is often a close friend, family member or care giver that notices these changes in a person that must be reported and recorded. If I was to notice these changes in an individual in my care it would be my duty to approach the subject with the individual if they have the capacity, I would discuss with my manager the best course of action to take and follow this through, it could be that I need to contact the individuals next of kin, GP, or social worker.
2.1) An individual could experience a lot of forms of discrimination due to misinformation, misinterpretation and common stereotypes society has. Potential or current employers could deter from a person’s potential or ability due to not understanding how a mental disorder could affect someone, and in this case it could prove to make the individuals condition worse. Friends and family members can begin to fear the behaviour of the individual and thus withdraw from them. if the individual has carers attending to them, the carers could become fearful or put up personal barriers. They could be treated with caution by all people known to them.
2.2) Mental ill health can impact an individual in numerous ways.
Psychologically and emotionally: the individual may become withdrawn further from social groups and or family members who could add to their ill health. Mental health issues can impact a person’s self-esteem and self-worth, which would cause them to feel more down and possibly have suicidal thoughts or tendencies. An individual’s family and friends could become concerned about the individual, and therefore try to be there for them more, visit more regularly, and this would put a strain on them personally.
Practically and financially: an individual’s mental ill health could affect their ability to work, therefore can have a detrimental effect on their ability to pay their bills and/or live day to day. It can affect the person’s ability to fill out forms when looking for a job, or paperwork for their current role. They may also be unable to cope with everyday living such as looking after themselves, family members or their property. If a person is suffering from mental ill health and is experiencing symptoms such as violence, paranoia and inability their fellow work force would be impacted as they may not want to work this person, it could leave them in danger or with an extra work load, or themselves not wanting to go to work as their work environment is disrupted.
Using services: the individual may withdraw from services they are already using; such as day centres. They could feel unable to talk to people and therefore not enlist the aid of services such as social services, day centres, GP’s, other medical services. Withdrawal or refusal to use services available to them could have a knock on effect on the individuals close family and friends. It could add extra pressure onto them to be there for the individual, and to take on further responsibility where they are concerned
Positive impacts: when a mental disorder is untreated or undiagnosed the individual can become stuck, and not see a way forward, therefore viewing everything negatively and in turn this can cause the mental distress to spiral out of control. This can also affect the individuals family and friends who are trying to help, and trying to give them positive thoughts and suggestions, they may end up feeling like they should no longer bother to help, this would then result in them possibly giving up leaving the individual feeling more alone than ever.
2.4) There are benefits to the individual, their family and social network and society with early intervention of an individual’s mental health. The earlier a disorder is detected means that It can be treated early and recent studies have shown that early intervention means relapses are less likely, as is hospitalisation, and symptoms can be less severe.