Depression and bipolar disorder are two common types of mood disorders that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function normally on a day-today basis. Depression can be mild, moderate, severe or extremely severe and can result in feelings of prolonged sadness or numbness for up to many consecutive weeks. The symptoms of depression often include low energy and motivation, losing interest in activities that are normally pleasurable, loss of concentration, memory or appetite or interrupted sleep patterns. People who have bipolar disorder tend to have symptoms of depression for periods of time but also experience what is known as ‘mania’ or ‘hypomania’, which are periods of highs where a person may start to become very ambitious or overactive in their daily activities. When depression worsens, people may start to experience thoughts about suicide or start developing plans to hurt themselves. If a person is experiencing suicidal thinking, it’s important that they are regularly monitored and that there is a plan in place setting out steps for crisis support if suicide risks increase. People who struggle with more severe depression often take medication alongside therapy as part of their mood management plan.
