Mood Disorders and their Effects at the Workplace
At the workplace, there are various disorders that may affect workers such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety, obsessive- compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Mood disorders are diagnosed in an employee when the main problem is on emotional mood swing which is considered to be out of the ordinary. There are three categories of mood disorders: depressive unipolar mood disorders, where the individual has experienced a mood disorder over one event (Carlson, 2007). For example, such a disorder occurs only when a person is extremely active. Bi-polar mood disorder involves the interchanging of depression states and mania where the two moods are total opposites. For example, the individual is extremely active for about five minutes then suddenly becomes inactive.
These two keep changing over time with regards to no known explanation. Mood disorders may also be caused by a known substance. For example, the intoxication from using Marijuana would lead to different mood swings among various individuals. Bi-polar mood disorder is one of the most common disorders in the U.S population (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Although it is subdivided into bi-polar 1, bi-poar 11 and cyclothymia, they have common characteristics.
An individual suffering from this disorder will abnormally experience mood swings that an average person will not be able to comprehend. Bi-polar mood disorder will be characterised by between two or more mood swings. One cannot really tell which expression should raise a concern. Despite the unpredictable mood swings, it may also affect an individual’s memory, ability to make judgement, and loss of appetite on either extreme.The mood disorder poses a risk if not addressed in its early stages.
There is a risk of the individuals exhibiting suicidal tendencies when it gets to the extreme. Some individuals have lost their families or ended up abusing drugs and alcohol. Maintaining a job is one thing victims find difficult. Bi-polar mood disorder cannot be prevented as it occurs due to normal day to day activities which cannot be avoided like education, work or even relationships/marriage (Carlson, 2007). Once an individual is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, it is advisable to keep to the method of treatment so as to be able to control its effects.
To back up the treatment, individuals should eat a balanced diet which maintains a healthy body, avoid intoxicating substances and get enough sleep. Bi-polar disorders will negatively impact performance at the workplace. With the rapid change in moods, most employees would not want to work with the individual. As a result, trying to achieve goals and targets individually becomes difficult. The interference with the ability to make judgement makes it difficult for the employee to make quick and effective decisions, an aspect that slows down the rate of performance.
Teamwork at the workplace is also hindered as the affected individual may get irritated at what his workmates consider relevant or at his contribution if it is dismissed. Submitting work as required becomes a problem as the employee keeps forgetting (memory is interfered with). As a result, work performance is compromised. If this is not addressed, the concerned employee will end up losing his job.Bi-polar disorder can be treated when diagnosed.
The two accepted modes of treatment involve taking of prescribed medication and/or therapy (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The method to be applied should be determined by a specialist. The extent to which the patient suffered influences the proposed treatment. For these to be effective, the individual must strictly follow the type of treatment offered.
