Coloradans Searching ‘What is a Mood Disorder’ Has Spiked 200%

We live in a time when people are becoming aware of things in a whole new way. Social media and media in general, have allowed mental health terms and symptoms once only found in a psychiatrist's office book to become more mainstream, less taboo.

Since the strange times of the Covid 19 pandemic, many of us were forced out of our routines and spent more time in a form of isolation. This had many Coloradoans taking to the internet to search out "What is a mood disorder?"

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According to a study on Semrush Newsroom "in Colorado, searches for “what is a mood disorder” spiked by 200% from January 2020 to April 2023."

Cedars Sinai says "A mood disorder is a class of serious mental illnesses. The term broadly describes all types of depression and bipolar disorders." They went on to explain that mood disorders "are likely caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals. Life events (such as stressful life changes) may also help lead to a depressed mood. Mood disorders also tend to run in families."

I think it's safe to say many of us are struggling. I hear young and old people throw out the word "anxiety" all the time.

Internet searches for "social anxiety disorder medication" increased by 1000% during that same time. There was also a 300% spike for "what causes social anxiety disorder".

The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as "an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure." There have been so many things to give us "worried thoughts" in the last few years, right?

Depression and anxiety run deep in my family. There are so many ways to feel relief whether it's medication, yoga, running, volunteering, therapy, etc. The important thing is not to get stuck in the feelings. My mom used to say she had to "be careful not to think herself into a hole."