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Mood disorders are a mental health condition that mainly affects an individual’s

emotional state (Malhi, et al., 2020). Individuals with mood disorders are accompanied by long

periods of low and high emotions. Mood disorders are of many types such as depression, bipolar

disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance-induced mood disorder among others.

In this case, CM a 27-year-old female reports that she has experienced mood swings and is

episodically irritable alternating with some euphoria. This patient has a fluctuating mood swing

between depression and hypomania with disturbed sleep, excessive energy, and a short period of

regular activity in between. This mood swing can be treated with the right diagnosis and

treatment. To diagnose the mood swings that this lady is experiencing, the healthcare profession

should conduct a physical examination, review her medical history and symptoms, order

laboratory tests, request mood charting, conduct a psychiatric assessment as well as use

screening tools.

In this case, the lady should be screened for major depressive symptoms, mental

psychiatric symptoms as well as bipolar disorder with regards to the symptoms exhibited. Mood

swings can be treated by integrating several treatment plans such as providing counseling

sessions, psychotherapy as well as medications. The main objective of psychotherapy is to treat

and resolve mood issues without using medication whenever possible. In some cases, a

combination of medication and psychotherapy has proven to be effective at eliminating severe

mood fluctuations from having a substantial negative impact on an individual’s daily activity and

function (Frank, et al., 2022). In this case, the conditions that CM is experiencing can be

resolved effectively and treated with a combination of medication and therapy. The
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symptoms namely feeling full of energy, easily distracted, disturbed sleep, feeling full of great

ideas, and being easily irritated, indicate that this lady is experiencing bipolar disorder.

The medications that the lady needs are mood stabilizers medicine such as Lithium,

valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazepine, Equetro, and lamotrigine (Fagiolin, et al.,

2022). Healthcare professionals should also request laboratory tests for mood

swings which include a thyroid function test, vitamin deficiencies, and urine analyses. The

therapy is that CM should do regular exercise. The recommended medication for CM is the use

of Lithium Carbonate ((Li2CO3). Lithium is a mood-stabilizing medicine that treats mental

disorder illnesses like bipolar disorder, hypomania, mania, depression as well as schizophrenia

(Rybakowski & Ferensztajn-Rochowiak, 2023). Lithium works by changing the release of

chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin in the clients’ brain thus being able to have control

over their emotions. CM should also be aware that lithium does not work immediately but takes

several weeks to months and this medicine is not addictive.

Taking lithium drugs is associated with some benefits that will reduce feelings of mania

as well as treat bipolar disorder. CM should be aware that lithium is not a cure but only helps her

to control the symptoms as well as prevent relapse as she continues taking them. CM reported

that she had suicidal ideation more than five times even if she has not attempted, lithium will

help reduce the suicidal feelings (Czarnywojtek, et al., 2020). CM should also be aware that

there are instructions prescribed before taking lithium such as taking lithium along with the food,

following her usual eating and drinking as well as drinking fluids when the weather is hot, and

conducting physical activity. CM should also be aware of the short and long-term effects of

taking lithium. Some of the short-term effects include stomach discomfort, and mild nausea.

Dizziness, muscle weakness, and feeling dazed. Possible long-term effects include shaking
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hands, tiredness, thirst, frequent urination, stomach upset, metallic taste in the mouth, headache,

and acne.
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References

Czarnywojtek, A., Zgorzalewicz-Stachowiak, M., Czarnocka, B., Sawicka-Gutaj, N., Gut, P.,

Krela-Kazmierczak, I., & Ruchala, M. (2020). Effect of lithium carbonate on the function

of the thyroid gland: mechanism of action and clinical implications. Journal of

Physiology & Pharmacology, 71(2).

Fagiolini, A., Cuomo, A., & McIntyre, R. S. (2022). Pocket Guide to Practical

Psychopharmacology: Lithium and Anticonvulsants in Psychiatric Practice. Springer

Nature.

Frank, D., Gruenbaum, B. F., Zlotnik, A., Semyonov, M., Frenkel, A., & Boyko, M. (2022).

Pathophysiology and current drug treatments for post-stroke depression: a

review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(23), 15114.

Malhi, G. S., Bell, E., Boyce, P., Bassett, D., Berk, M., Bryant, R., ... & Murray, G. (2020). The

2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice

guidelines for mood disorders: Bipolar disorder summary. Bipolar disorders, 22(8), 805-

821.

Rybakowski, J. K., & Ferensztajn-Rochowiak, E. (2023). Updated perspectives on how and

when lithium should be used in the treatment of mood disorders. Expert Review of

Neurotherapeutics, 23(2), 157-167.