(West Plains) – Ozarks Medical Center Behavioral Healthcare recently began a Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance group for patients who suffer from mood disorders and their families. The group is free of charge and meets at 6 PM Thursdays at OMC Behavioral Healthcare.
Approximately one in 10 American adults in a given year, have a mood disorder. The group is for individuals with depression or bipolar disorder and their families.
OMC Behavioral Healthcare Director Carol Eck said depression is a very common illness. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, at some point in their lives, 24 percent of women and 15 percent of men will experience an episode of major depression.
Bipolar disorder affects nearly six million adult Americans and an equal number of men and women.
Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression, is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is called bipolar disorder because a person’s mood can alternate between a high, elevated mood, and depression.
Eck said the majority of individuals with depression and bipolar disorder are able to find treatments that work, either through therapy, medication or changes in lifestyle situations.
For more information about the support alliance group or mood disorders, call OMC Behavioral Healthcare at 417-257-6762.