Mood disorder

What is a mood disorder?

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects a person's persistent emotional state. Mood disorders can cause emotional highs and lows that impact a person's energy, activity levels, and ability to complete daily tasks.

The two main types of mood disorders are depressive disorders and bipolar disorders:

• Depressive disorders, like major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, cause prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest in life.


• Bipolar disorders, like bipolar I and bipolar II, cause dramatic shifts in mood and energy levels. They involve cycles of high energy with manic symptoms and low moods with depressive symptoms.

Other types of mood disorders include:

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Depression that corresponds with seasonal changes, typically winter and less daylight.


• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Depression, anxiety, and irritability related to a woman's menstrual cycle.

What Causes Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders have several potential risk factors, but no single cause. Contributing factors can include:

• Brain chemistry imbalances - Neurotransmitter abnormalities involving serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine seem to play a role.
• Genetics - Having a close family member with a mood disorder elevates your risk.


• Major life stress - Trauma, grief, job loss, and life transitions can trigger mood episodes.


• Substance abuse - Drugs and alcohol often make mood symptoms worse.

Mood Disorder Symptoms

There is overlap between the symptoms of different mood disorders. Common signs include:

• Depressed mood - Feeling sad, hopeless crying spells


• Markedly reduced interest/pleasure - Loss of interest in hobbies, reduced motivation


• Significant weight loss or gain - Increase or decrease in appetite


• Sleep disturbances - Insomnia, excessive sleeping, unsatisfying sleep


• Fatigue and loss of energy - Feeling tired despite adequate sleep


• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt - Overwhelming sense of failure or self-blame


• Reduced ability to focus - Trouble concentrating, slower thinking, indecisiveness

Manic symptoms of bipolar disorder may include elevated self-esteem, increased activity levels, impulsivity, reduced need for sleep, and racing thoughts.

Getting Help for Mood Disorders

If your mood negatively impacts daily function for weeks at a time, seek support. A combination of lifestyle changes and professional treatment often helps manage symptoms.

Talk therapy with a licensed mental health provider equips people with healthy coping strategies. Certain therapies, like CBT and DBT, focus on thought patterns or distress tolerance.

Medication - Antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics help rectify brain chemical imbalances underlying mood disorders.

Holistic options like light therapy, supplements, exercise, meditation, support groups, and sufficient sleep also tend to lift mood.

The earlier you intervene when mood symptoms arise, the less likely major episodes will disrupt work, relationships and quality of life. Don't underestimate the value of seeking help. With consistent treatment, many people with mood disorders live full, balanced lives.