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What are Mood Disorders?

 

In layman’s terms, a mood disorder is an emotional state or mood that is not only inconsistent with an individual’s environment or immediate circumstances but one that negatively impacts their ability to perform or function in a normal manner.

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Some common mood disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder — prolonged and persistent periods of extreme sadness

• Bipolar disorder — also called manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, depression that includes alternating times of depression and mania

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a form of depression most often associated with fewer hours of daylight in the far northern and southern latitudes from late fall to early spring

• Cyclothymic disorder — a disorder that causes emotional ups and downs that are less extreme than bipolar disorder

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder — mood changes and irritability that occur during the premenstrual phase of a woman's cycle and go away with the onset of menses

• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) — a long-term (chronic) form of depression

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder — a disorder of chronic, severe and persistent irritability in children that often includes frequent temper outbursts that are inconsistent with the child's developmental age

• Depression related to medical illness — a persistent depressed mood and a significant loss of pleasure in most or all activities that are directly related to the physical effects of another medical condition

• Depression induced by substance use or medication — depression symptoms that develop during or soon after substance use or withdrawal or after exposure to a medication

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Because each individual who is experiencing a mood disorder will describe their symptoms in different ways, meeting with a professional to receive a diagnosis is a must. Knowing that mood disorders can manifest in patients of all ages and from a broad range of issues such as genetics, life events, medical illness, cognitive vulnerability, and more, getting to the bottom of the condition is the first step in moving past it.

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Do You Experience Any of These Symptoms?

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While it’s impossible to list every symptom that is associated with mood disorders, some of the most common include feeling sad more than usual and for longer periods than usual, losing interest in things that you once found enjoyable or pleasurable, and experiencing mood shifts that fluctuate between extreme feelings of happiness and sadness. Even if you do not recognize yourself in the above list of symptoms for mood disorders, chances are the symptoms that you are experiencing can be successfully treated with the individualized, comprehensive treatment plan and referrals to our partner Psychiatrists. 

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Other symptoms include:

• Inability to take pleasure in former interests

• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns

• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety

• Pessimism, indifference

• Loss of energy, persistent lethargy

• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness or inadequacy

• Continued sadness or unexplained crying spells

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty sleeping

• Guilt

• Hostility or aggression

• Irritability and mood changes

• Loss of interest in daily life

• Problems interacting with loved ones

• Unexplained weight gain or loss

• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness

• Social withdrawal

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The First Step is to Ask for Help.

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When you choose Hopeful Minds Psychology Group as your partner to help conquer your mood disorder, you’ll benefit from having a trained and knowledgeable mental health professional to walk with you in your journey. 

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Take the first step now, and make an appointment for mood disorder treatment near you. We look forward to working towards a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan to help you gain control over the factors that are contributing to your mood disorder.

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