The definition of mood

A mood is defined as a state of feeling at a single point in time; another meaning is a distinct combination of emotions displayed by a being at a specific time. There are illnesses connected with moods that differ from person to person. Depression and bipolar disorders are the most frequent mood disorders. The severity of these illnesses varies from individual to person. As a result, it is erroneous for a person to be diagnosed with a specific ailment based on the subject’s relationships and connections to another individual who previously had a diagnosis of the disorder.  Addictive disorders, on the other hand, refer to behavioral characters portrayed by people who engage in substance abuse and dependence. Such characters are at most times because of prolonged use of drugs. Addiction disorders develop over a long lapse of time, and if not kept at bay may result in dangerous illnesses. Substances commonly abused by victims of addictive disorders include Alcohol, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Marijuana and Anabolic Steroids (Comer, 2014). These substances do not entirely comprise all the possible materials that may result in addictive disorders, and as such there are many others.

Potential causes of depression, bipolar disorders and substance disorders.

Mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorders) have quite some causes that vary from one individual to another as stated by specialists. Research, however, shows that there are no exact causes and therefore, some factors and conditions necessitate the development of such disorders (Comer, 2014). The consensus reached by researchers in conjunction with specialists in the field of psychology suggests that some of the causes may be attributed family lineage whereby, an individual may suffer mood disorders because a person in the family history may have suffered from that particular disease.

Environmental factors, as well as biological factors, can also lead to the development of such disturbances. Environmental factors in this context maybe: chemical contaminations that may be present in the air in which the victim breaths, foreign chemical substances that may get access to an individual’s body using food additives and preservatives (Comer, 2014). On the other hand, specialists have summed up biological factors and termed them as “family affairs,” suggesting that it all depends on the genetics of a particular family tree. Researchers and specialists, however, have not been able to establish the exact genes linked to mood disorders.

On the other hand, exact causes of substance disorders are not yet determined. However, researchers and psychologists have outlined quite some factors that may lead to substance use disorders (Comer, 2014). Such factors to which substance disorders get rooted to are as follows: peer pressure when then an individual is lured by peers already having substance disorders, severe stigmatization that lead to the victim being lonely and emotional distress especially amount middle aged persons. Anxiety and environmental stress can also form a cause for substance disorders in individuals who undergo such circumstances.

The possible treatment methods for depression, bipolar disorders, and substance disorders.

Mood and substance disorders treatment vary from one individual to another. Depression as one of the mood disorders has no proven ways discovered that ultimately treat depression. However, there are remedies in place that help to decrease the magnitude and intensity of depression. Psychological treatment methods, as well as medical treatment methods, have developed and administered in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. The psychological treatments widely implemented are through the issuance of a series of therapies. Treatments help an individual in making amends in their manners of thinking and decision-making (Comer, 2014). There has developed some treatments that work for all depression patients. Professionals deliver some on a one on one basis. Other treatments make use of group environments during their administering administration. The choice of the mode of treatment relies on the patient.

The primary psychological treatments include Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Behaviour Therapy and Mindful-based Cognitive therapy (MBCT). Cognitive behavior therapy mainly argues that thoughts of an individual directly affect the patient’s feelings. The professionals make efforts in understanding the patient’s thinking and emotion patterns with the aim of taking note of events that trigger depression and bipolar disorders (Comer, 2014). Cognitive behavior therapy works for all ages of patients ranging from children to adult. Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most efficient forms of treatment. It works to change the criteria of thinking in use by the patient. It helps patients in reasoning. As such, there are no adverse effects and consequences tied to the decisions made by the patient.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) on the other hand involves an in depth analysis of a patient’s relations with his/ her counterparts. It seeks to improve on a patient’s interaction with other people be it in the work place or elsewhere. The interpersonal therapy eradicates depression as it aligns the patient’s behavior and character with that of people in the surrounding (Comer, 2014). The treatment helps to eliminate unnecessary disagreements that could otherwise result in unnecessary depression and bipolar disorders.

The other mode of psychological treatment is behavior therapy. It is the same as cognitive behavior therapy except that it aims at encouraging positive activities. Such activities include pleasant people that the patient engages with, rewarding and pleasing the parties that engage with the side (Comer, 2014). Behaviour therapy has been into practice, proven over the years, and concluded to be successful. Most patients that have gone through this treatment have shown tremendous comebacks from depression and bipolar disorders.

The last and final psychological treatment for depression and bipolar disorders, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) get administered in-group environments. It advocates for patients to focus on the underlying moments rather than the past of future (Comer, 2014). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) encourages patients to take moments as they come, whether positive or negative. This mode of treatment significantly reduces the chances of depression and bipolar disorder on set after it already is treated.

Substance disorders have increased in numbers all over the world. Increased number of crimes as well as rehabilitation centers evidences the rampant increase in substance disorders. Substance disorders like any other disorders have treatment methods that work for victims if well implemented (Comer, 2014). The treatment of substance disorder is through some ways namely, medications, group and individual counseling, intensive inpatient and outpatient programs as well as peer support programs. All these methods of treatment when well-administered offer desirable outcomes.

Once victims have undergone successful treatment, there arises a need to get them involved in continuous activity during free time. The exercise helps in eradicating the possibilities of relapse. Specialists put cured individuals under care and observation (Comer, 2014). Such inspection ensures that the desire to engage in substance abuse completely disappears. The cured victims, later on, embrace their healthy lives away from substance disorders.

Potential gender and cultural influences on depression, bipolar and substance disorders.

Research shows that the female gender is more susceptible to depression and bipolar disorders. The reason is that women, unlike men, undergo organic phases such as the menstrual cycles and pregnancy. During menstrual cycles and the periods of gestation, women have elevated levels of hormones that directly impact moods and emotions, when triggered in negative manners, they result in reactions that prompt the subject to be depressed and possess bipolar disorder(Comer, 2014). Research further shows that men and women have a different way of responding to particular circumstances such as tragic events. Prolonged distress experienced by women tends to lead them to become victims of depression and bipolar disorders.

Concerning substance disorders, gender plays a significant role. Women tend to engage in particular substance abuse, distinct from those committed by men. As such, the levels and speed of development of such disorders vary from one gender to the other. In general, males tend to engage in substance abuse at a tender age as compared to women (Comer, 2014). They also participate in drug addiction more often as compared to their counterparts, women. Men are also more susceptible to falling into drug addiction through peer pressure as compared to women who end up getting substance disorders mainly because of their issues.

Culture on the other hand also influences the development of depression, bipolar and substance disorders in that all cultures have their perceptions beliefs and attitudes (Comer, 2014). Different cultures have their ways of indicating the manifestation of depression, bipolar and substance disorders in individuals. A person may appear to have all these disorders as interpreted by people of a particular culture while in reality, the person may be okay. Therefore, a culture mainly affects the interpretation of specific behaviors in an individual and considerably plays a part in determining the extent of development of such disorders.

In retrospect, depressive, bipolar and substance disorders are a crisis all over the entire universe and efforts need are required in preventing the increase in the trajectory of numbers. Efforts need direction towards treating victims of such disorders to boost their productivity. From time to time, counseling with the aim of creating awareness on the subject of depressive, administration of bipolar and substance disorders is compulsory. The implementation will help in elevation of the status of humanity and increased development.

Reference

Comer R. J. (2014). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (7th edition).