Psychology Facts

▼ Mood Disorders ▼

》 A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects your emotional state. It's a disorder in which you experience long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness or both. Certain mood disorders involve other persistent emotions, such as anger and irritability.

》 Common Mood Disorders:

Bipolar: Individuals with Bipolar disorder experience severe shifts from mania to depression, as well as changes in thoughts and actions. Manic episodes are commonly described as periods of excessive joy or enthusiasm, while depressive periods may cause extreme low energy or hopelessness. To be diagnosed with bipolar, manic episodes need to have lasted at least seven days, and depressive episodes need to have lasted at least two weeks.

Perinatal depression: The collective term for prenatal depression and postpartum depression. Prenatal depression is what some females may experience before a baby's born and postpartum depression is what some females may experience after a baby's born.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: A childhood condition of extreme irritability, anger, and frequent, intense temper outbursts

Persistent depression disorder (PDD): Formerly known as dysthymia, PDD presents with persistent symptoms for years.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Beginning in late fall or early winter, SAD usually goes away in the spring or summer for those suffering.

Substance-induced mood disorder: A change in the way you feel or think due to taking or not taking a substance such as drugs or alcohol.

》depressive symptoms include:

Feeling sad most of the time or nearly every day.

A lack of energy or feeling sluggish.

Feeling worthless or hopeless.

Loss of interest in activities that formerly brought enjoyment.

Thoughts about death or suicide.

Difficulty concentrating or focusing.

Sleeping too much or not enough.

Loss of appetite or overeating.

》In general, symptoms of hypomanic or manic episodes include:

Feeling extremely energized or elated.

Rapid speech or movement.

Agitation, restlessness or irritability.

Risk-taking behavior, such as spending more money than usual or driving recklessly.

Racing thoughts.

Insomnia or trouble sleeping.

》Mood disorders are relatively common in adults, with depression and bipolar disorder being the most common. Approximately 7% of adults in the United States have depression, while about 2.8% have bipolar disorder.

》Mood disorders are commonly seen in children and adolescents — approximately 15% have any mood disorder

》Nearly one in ten people age 18 and older have a mood disorder

》Approximately 80 percent of individuals with eating disorders are diagnosed with another psychiatric disorder at some time in their life, most commonly depressive, anxiety, and personality disorders.

》Mood disorders are common. More than 19 million adults and children in the United States suffer from a mood disorder annually.

》There are really no known ways to prevent or lower the chance of developing a mood disorder. However, early diagnosis can help in treating or managing its symptoms and complications; so that normal functioning can be restored, allowing for your improved quality of life.

》Researchers believe several factors contribute to the development of mood disorders, including:

Biological factors: The brain areas responsible for controlling your feelings and emotions are the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. People with mood disorders have been shown to have an enlarged amygdala on brain imaging tests.

Genetic factors: People who have a strong family history of a mood disorder are more likely to develop mood disorders, which shows that mood disorders are likely partly genetic/inherited.

Environmental factors: Stressful life changes, such as the death of a loved one; chronic stress; traumatic events; and childhood abuse are major risk factors for the development of a mood disorder later on in life, especially depression. Depression has also been linked to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and heart disease.

》The breakthroughs in neuroscience are providing an effective basis for the treatment and management of mood disorders. There are advanced gene studies aiming to identify the critical factors to predict treatment reaction, thereby improving the personalization of the treatment approach.

》If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of a mood disorder, a healthcare provider may perform a physical examination to rule out physiological causes for symptoms. They may refer you to a mental health professional.
A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, will conduct an interview or survey, asking questions about your symptoms, sleeping and eating habits and other behaviors.

》In general, a mood disorder is diagnosed when sadness, elation, anger or other emotion is:
Overly intense and persistent.

Accompanied by other mood disorder symptoms, such as sleep changes or activity level changes.

Significantly impairs the person's capacity to function.

》Treatment for mood disorders depends on the specific condition and symptoms. Usually, treatment involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called talk therapy). There are also other types of treatment, such as brain stimulation therapy.