• Resistant mania
• Hypomania
• Dysphoric mania
• Bipolar affective disorder
• Manic depressive disorder
• Manic Depressive Psychosis
• Affective disorder
• Mood disorder bipolar type
• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Rapid Cycling Bipolar
• Cyclothymia
• Bipolar Mood Disorder
• Mixed episode
• Mood swings

These are the terms one might frequently encounter in patients with Mood disorders. The human mind has three major aspects - Thoughts, Moods and Behaviours. Illness can occur in any of these aspects primarily and then secondarily involve other aspects. It is the emotional aspect, the mood of the patient, that gets affected in Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder, the two important major mood disorder types. No one's mood always remains steady, like a straight line. The normal 'ups' (feeling involved and energetic) and 'downs' (feeling low, disinterested and dull) do not affect our day-to-day routines or look abnormal to others.

Sometimes, due to stressful life circumstances or changes in the chemical balance in certain areas of the brain, a person may get Depressive disorder. Persistent sadness of mood over two weeks, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, decreased sleep, poor appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, anger, feeling inferior and worthless, inability to carry out responsibilities, hopelessness and feeling suicidal are the characteristics symptoms of Depression. It can last weeks or months and severely affect the individual's life and family. They may talk about suicide and even attempt to kill themselves. Some even successfully commit suicide.

However, Depressive disorder can be easily and effectively treated with antidepressants, mood stabilisers, individual counselling, family counselling and psychotherapy. Patients with severe Depression may require hospitalisation. With proper treatment, the person can return to their usual self within 3 to 4 weeks. Sometimes, the usual positive feeling that upstate goes out of control is called Mania. In manic episodes, the person is overconfident, very energetic, requires very little sleep and is still overactive, trying to do many things which may be beyond his capacity, irritable, short-tempered, talking excessively, excessively spending, buying unnecessary things and starting big projects without the necessary background resources and requirements.

Even though the changes in the person are obvious to others, the person affected with Mania will not recognize or feel any problem in themselves or their behaviour. They claim to be normal and refuse to come for treatment. The relatives frequently have to bring the patient forcefully, against the patient's liking. They frequently require hospitalisation, and with proper antimanic treatment, they become their usual previous self in 3 to 4 weeks. Early identification and early treatment are the keys. The relapse of Depression or Mania can be prevented by using mood stabilisers like Lithium, Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine, and Lamotrigine, or with newer drugs like Endoxifen and with proper psychoeducational / illness education of the patient and their family members.

Why a Special Clinic For Depression?

Depression is one of the common psychiatric disorders affecting 1 in 12 men and 1 in 8 women. Children and the elderly are not spared either. Our Depression clinic provides specialised treatment for Depression in a standardised, systematic, cost-effective, and time-effective manner by a dynamic team of mental health professionals with special interests and expertise. Treatment for Bipolar Affective Disorder is also available at our Depression clinic. Recurrent Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) requires regular monitoring and early identification of relapses of Mania or Depression to prevent rehospitalisation. There are at least two types of bipolar disorder – type I and type II. Accurately identifying the type, its complications, and other co-present psychiatric disorders is essential for proper treatment.

The Depression clinic at Vazhikatti has a specialised team of Doctors for the treatment of Depression and Bipolar disorders, systematically providing standardised care. To learn more and seek help from the best Depression treatment centre in Coimbatore, call 9842253053 / 0422-4397671 or email vazhikatti@gmail.com or visit Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre in person.