MOOD ARTICLES

"All too frequently we find ourselves alone, shunned by the world around us and lacking the strength to make our presence felt."

Mental Water Torture

 

ONE quick look at the menu below will tell you that depression and bipolar disorder are terms rather than realities. Yes, we need to know all about the fine points of diagnostic categories, but far more vital is context. Your so-called depression may track more like bipolar. Conversely, if you have bipolar you are likely to be depressed way more than you are manic. Similarly, you are certain to have a lot more going on than just mood.

If you came here looking for info on depression, I strongly urge you to read the articles on bipolar disorder as well, plus the mood spectrum articles. This is because there is a good chance that your doctor may have misdiagnosed you with clinical depression when you may have bipolar or something going on in the mood spectrum.

Most individuals with bipolar were first misdiagnosed with depression and put on the wrong treatments. We don't want this to happen to you.

Note: the first four articles on depression are meant to be read as a series.

Enough talking. The first step in living well involves knowing thyself. The articles below will get you started.

The pic to illustrate Mood is a close-up of La Tour's "Magdalen at Night." The woman seems to question her very existence. We have all been there.

 


Depression

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Depression - What is It?

Your doctor confirms what you already know. Now what?


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Figuring Out Depression

"Depression" doesn't begin to explain what is going on.


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Placing Depression in Context

Your depression didn't just come out of nowhere.


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Depression Plus

There is a lot more to your depression than just depression.


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Atypical Depression

Has atypical grown too atypical to be clinically useful?


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Mental Water Torture

Don't let the term mild depression fool you.


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Seasonal Affective Disorder

Many of us have decidedly unsunny dispositions.


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Postpartum Depression

Ignorance gives this illness far more power than it deserves.


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Depression FAQ

Your definitive depression cheat sheet.


Bipolar

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Bipolar - Really a Cycling Illness

Episodes get all the attention, but ...


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Bipolar I and Mania

When our runaway brains are untethered to reality.


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Bipolar II and Hypomania

Very common condition, very little knowledge.


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The Bipolar Time Warp

Bipolar can speed up or slow down time.


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Psychosis in Mania

When reality takes leave.


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Bipolar Depression

Far more pervasive and disabling than mania.


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Cyclothymia

This so-called minor form of bipolar is no laughing matter.


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Rapid Cycling

Hard to define. Even harder to treat.


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Schizoaffective Disorder

What the hell is it? Does anyone even know?


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Bipolar Overview FAQ

Your definitive bipolar cheat sheet.


The Mood Spectrum

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The Mood Spectrum: Recurrence

Never mind the manias for now. Just count the depressions.


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The Mood Spectrum: Up and Down

In bipolar, one affects the other.


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The Mood Spectrum: Mixed States

Where depression meets mania.


Other Stuff

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Anxiety in Mood

How you manage your anxiety is crucial to managing your mood.


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ADD or Bipolar

Are you being treated for the wrong illness?


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Normal - Highly Over-rated

Normal may be safe, but it is neither desireable nor ideal.


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Thinking and Stress

Stressed brains have to work a lot harder in order to think.


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When Mood Meets Alcohol and Substance-Abuse

Is it craving or self-medication or both?


FEATURED ARTICLES ON MOOD