Choice of treatment and medications varies, but accurate diagnosis by a qualified psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is essential. Mood Disorders Periods of sadness may be normal reactions to life. When mood symptoms become disabling, a mood disorder may be present. For these individuals, clinical depression is a severe illness, preventing them from maintaining normal life activities. The depression lingers on, often resulting in feelings of complete despair, worthlessness and suicidal behavior.
Depression takes many different forms, each of which varies from person to person.
Symptoms of a depressive phase may include changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, feelings of sadness or worthlessness, difficulties with concentration, giving away money and possessions and thoughts of or attempts at suicide. Although anxiety is a normal, necessary part of life, when it becomes too severe for a person to control, it is considered an anxiety disorder. The following are some of the chief anxiety disorders. General anxiety disorders are marked by excessive worry, jumpiness, irritability, tension, sweating, heart pounding or racing. The person is apprehensive, on edge and has problems sleeping.