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Self-Medicating Mood Disorders

woman examines medication

Mood disorders involve drastic changes in a person’s mood; there are a number of mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and more. Mood disorders can significantly affect a person’s daily life including their personal relationships, how they conduct themselves at work and their overall performance, their grades in school and more. Estimates suggest that around 20.9 million Americans have a mood disorder – yet many fail to seek treatment or get misdiagnosed, which can certainly cause more problems down the road. Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a common mood disorder that is frequently misdiagnosed; the numbers for this disorder is likely greater than it really is – but because symptoms of BPD may be similar to other disorders, it becomes easier to misclassify and therefore many people may not report having had this disorder. Psychologists often explain that when a person goes in to receive a diagnosis, bipolar disorder may be missed – and when that person is prescribed medication for something else that may not be completely accurate, the medication they are taking can actually worsen the symptoms they’re experiencing. What happens is that over time, these people take longer to find the right path towards recovery because they were misdiagnosed in the first place.   In cases such as these, it becomes extremely important for individuals to be as open and descriptive as possible with what they’re going through – including the severity of their symptoms, how long their symptoms last, how it’s affecting their daily life and responsibilities, and more. In some unfortunate instances, it’s because individuals fail to tell exactly what’s been going on – often out of fear of stigma or judgment – that they receive incorrect diagnoses.  

At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms.  The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor, you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan.  We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.