Is anxiety a mood disorder or something else completely? Many people ask this question. However, why are so many people confused about the relationship between mood disorders and anxiety? The reason might lie in the fact that they aren’t really sure what anxiety or mood disorders are. This lack of knowledge can leave a person unsure of what psychiatric treatment to seek and whether they need treatment at all.
At Rose Hill Center, we’re honored to provide mental health treatment for individuals who are battling a wide array of mental health conditions. Seeking treatment at our residential mental health facility in Holly, Michigan can give you the tools that you need to manage your anxiety and move forward in your life. To learn more about the treatment options available at Rose Hill Center, contact us today by calling 866.367.0220.
What Are Mood Disorders?
To determine whether anxiety is a mood disorder, people have to know what a mood disorder is. A mood disorder is a condition that causes extreme lows and highs in energy levels or moods. When people think of mood disorders, the two most common ones that come to mind are bipolar disorder and depression.
However, people can suffer from many types of mood conditions. To make matters worse, these disorders are the result of underlying problems. They usually develop when people lack proper coping skills to deal with their problems. Some common symptoms of all mood disorders include:
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Sleep problems
- Decreased levels of energy
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Unexplained changes in weight
Is Anxiety a Mood Disorder?
Answering this question is where many people get confused because an anxiety disorder brings about many mood disorder symptoms. In most cases, rather than being a mood disorder, anxiety is a feeling. In fact, it’s normal for people to experience anxiety from time to time. Starting a new job, riding in a car after an accident, or even speaking in public can cause anxiety. In short, anxiety is a relatively normal part of life, and seeking anxiety treatment can help you cope.
In most cases, however, anxiety is a short-lived emotion. As a result, once the anticipated event or situation passes, the person’s anxiety levels typically return to normal. When these feelings last much longer than normal, it becomes a mental health condition which people refer to as an anxiety disorder.
When people meet specific criteria, doctors diagnosis them with anxiety disorders. Keep in mind that anxiety and anxiety disorders are not the same. People with anxiety disorders can also develop other conditions such as depression if they don’t seek help.
Co-occurring Disorders
It’s not uncommon for people who suffer from anxiety disorders to have other mental issues. Doctors refer to these cases as co-occurring disorders. Depression is the most common co-occurring disorder.
For that reason, a good mood disorder treatment center offers dual diagnosis treatment. These centers provide the same kind of services that helps people who struggle with substance abuse and mental illnesses. In fact, substance abuse is also a mental disorder.
Is Anxiety A Mood Disorder? Seek Help Today
When you have a mental disorder, it’s important to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Once the brain develops one condition, it’s prone to develop more. At Rose Hill Center, we aid the recovery of mental disorders and substance abuse. Some of the services that we offer include:
- Residential rehabilitation services
- Co-occurring treatment
- Transitional living services
- Extended residential services
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
Don’t let an untreated anxiety disorder lead to even more mental problems. Learn more about whether anxiety is a mood disorder. Contact us at 866.367.0220 for mental health treatment that you can count on.
