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MOOD, ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS

 
 

Mood, anxiety and personality disorders can present themselves in many different ways. Several symptoms, however, are common across all of these conditions; this can be confusing and frustrating to manage, both for the person and their loved ones.

Such symptoms can include significant mood swings, changes in appetite, sleep or energy levels, increased sensitivity to the environment and people around you, and thoughts of harm towards oneself or others in severe cases.

Although a family history of these conditions could increase one’s risk of developing these disorders, many factors contribute to the development of symptoms, such as major life changes or traumas, increased stress (physical or mental), physical illness, or the use of certain drugs or medications.

Types of psychological disorders in these areas include:

Depressive & Bipolar-related Disorders

Mood disorders affect a person’s emotional wellbeing, as well as the body and brain's ability to stabilise, or regulate, these emotions. As a result, depression, irritability, distress, or even extremely happy ("euphoric") moods can follow. This can be accompanied by several changes in behaviour, such as disturbances in energy levels, sleep, eating patterns, and even changes in the speed and logic of one’s thoughts and speech. In severe cases, a person’s perception of reality can become affected, and psychotic symptoms can occur (see specific section). While depressive disorders manifest with low and irritable moods, bipolar-related disorders can have periods of “highs”, “lows”, or a combination of both. The “highs” can manifest as:

  • Extremely “happy", “hyper”, irritable or angry moods
  • Unable to sit still, restlessness
  • Fast and hard-to-interrupt speech (extreme talkativeness), or fast-paced train of thought
  • High-risk or impulsive behaviour (e.g. sexual behaviour, substance use, aggression, sudden major spending)

In addition, several mood disorders can be related to seasonal and hormonal changes.

MOOD, ANXIETY & PERSONALITY DISORDERS

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE AND TRAUMA-RELATED DISORDERS

SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM AND RELATED PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

SUBSTANCE/MEDICATION-INDUCED DISORDERS, REQUIRING DUAL DIAGNOSTIC MANAGEMENT

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC AND BODY-RELATED CONDITIONS

FAQ

1Is anxiety a hereditary condition?
Anxiety is a condition that can have genetic links, with multiple family members struggling with anxiety or mood symptoms. The condition, however, can also develop due to life experiences and trauma. Often, anxiety and depressive disorders are a result of more than one or even all of these factors combined.
2Is there a specific test for mood or personality disorders?
There is no specific test to guarantee whether or not you have a personality, anxiety or depressive disorder. However, many physical or chemical-related conditions can contribute to such symptoms, and these should be ruled out and treated as early as possible in the process. Tests for such illnesses can include blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies at your doctor's discretion.

Anxiety

Anxiety is often the body’s natural response to stress. Experiencing anxiety when starting a new job or taking an exam can be completely normal and can even improve our performance under pressure if managed correctly. But when anxiety begins to take a toll on your mental and physical wellbeing and interferes with everyday activities such as interacting with other people and carrying out daily chores, this can become extremely debilitating.

Anxiety can present itself in many physical and psychological ways; common symptoms can include:

  • Difficulty in focusing or planning
  • Chronic muscle pains, headaches and fatigue
  • Restlessness, “jitteriness”, “irrational” or “illogical” fears (specific, or several topics), avoidance of anything provoking those fears
  • “Panic attacks” (difficulty breathing, chest pain, shaking, sweating, dizziness, tingling in hands, heart “racing”, extreme fear or anxiety)

Treatment of anxiety disorders most often involves therapy to help one learn skills to manage or differently approach the emotions and thoughts associated with the anxiety. Medication is an effective and necessary part of the treatment process in many cases.

Personality Disorders

“Personality” is difficult to define in a few sentences and is the result of many different factors working together from an early age. However, in mental health, this refers to one’s core beliefs, preferences and perceptions: about oneself, others, and the world around us. These elements have a crucial impact on our self-esteem and care, interactions with others, ability to manage stress and emotions, and our ability to plan and think through our daily life decisions.

Although our genes may play a small role in this process, one’s personality is largely moulded through external factors, such as early relationships, home environment, life events (loss, changes) and teachings. When there are negative influences in these factors (e.g. trauma, abuse, neglect, abandonment), then symptoms of a personality disorder can develop. This can result in unhealthy or destructive thoughts, behaviours or emotional patterns that repeat throughout a person's day to day life. Examples of this can include:

  • Impulsive or destructive behaviour (self-harm, substance abuse, unreliability, law violations)
  • Extreme difficulty in coping with adversity, conflict or stress
  • Difficulty in maintaining healthy or constructive relationships
  • Unhealthy or irrational beliefs about oneself or how others see them.
  • Rigidness, lack of compromise regarding plans, routines or beliefs

Personality disorders are common mental health concerns and often accompany substance abuse disorders, anxiety and other mood disorders.

TREATMENT

Treatment for anxiety, mood and personality disorders differ according to the individual’s needs and concerns. Typically, however, a combination of therapy (in various forms) and medication are the main aspects of treating such conditions. Several medications that can play a role in this process include antidepressants, mood stabilisers, antipsychotics and sedatives (for short-term use only). Personality disorders, in particular, are not primarily approached with medication but with specialised forms of therapy to address unhealthy thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. Lifestyle changes such as decreasing caffeine, diet adjustments, exercising regularly, and quitting unhealthy habits, like smoking, are some of the very first recommendations to improving mental health in these areas.