Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, are a group of mental conditions that affect a person’s general emotional state.
Mood disorders are a category of conditions listed in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”(DSM-5). Within this category are several groups of conditions with similar characteristics. Two of the major groups aredepressive disordersandbipolar disorders.
Within each group are subtypes with specific treatments and diagnostic criteria. Postpartum depression andpremenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)are two examples of a depressive disorder subtype.
This article describes the two major categories of mood disorders, including their causes, symptoms, and treatments. It also explains how mood disorders are diagnosed and ways to cope if you are among 21.4% of adults in the United States living with a mood disorder at some point in their lives.
What Are Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders are not the same as changes in mood. While mood can change in response to your environment and everyday stresses, mood disorders are those that affect your general, pervasive emotional state in a way that is beyond your control.
By definition, mood disorders affect your quality of life and well-being, causing harm to your relationships, work and family life, and self-esteem.
Mood disorders fall under several groups of conditions, the two most common of which are depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
Types of Depressive Disorders
Major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly called major depression, is diagnosed when a person has one or more major depressive episodes. A depressive episode is one that lasts for at least two weeks with a loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities for most of the day or every day.
Among these subtypes that fall under the umbrella of MDD:
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Subtypes of bipolar disorder include:
Symptoms of mood disorders can vary, with some causing abnormally elevated moods, abnormally depressed moods, or episodes of abnormally alternating moods. Classifying subtypes is important because they direct the appropriate treatment based on your specific symptoms.
Depression
The different subtypes of MDD are diagnosed based on the types, severity, and/or timing of symptoms experienced:
Bipolar Disorder
BPD symptoms are categorized as:
Chemical Imbalances
Neurons are the nerve cells of the brain andnervous system. Neurons communicate with substances known as neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are also involved in the regulation of moods. Several neurotransmitters are involved in mood disorders, includingserotoninandnorepinephrine. Lower levels of these may contribute to mood disorders.
Brain Structure
Brain structure is also believed to play a role in depression. Researchers have found one area in the brain, called the hippocampus, is smaller in people with MDD. They believe that extended, ongoing exposure to stress hormones hinders the growth of neurons within that brain region.
Other brain structures potentially involved in mood disorders include theamygdalaandthalamus.
The Functions of the Limbic System
Genetics
Genetics are a significant factor involved in the susceptibility of mood disorders. Many mood disorders are known to run in families, including MDD and BPD.
Life Events and Changes
Stressful life events and changes, including starting a new job, moving, and other transitional periods, can also spark a mood disorder such as depression.
There is no single test used to diagnose a mood disorder. Rather, a healthcare provider will conduct a psychiatric evaluation based on criteria outlined in the DSM-5. To meet the criteria, you must not have certain symptoms, but the symptoms must persist or recur for a certain period.
To be diagnosed with MDD, you must experience five symptoms of depression outlined in the DSM-5 for at least two weeks.
This timeline can differ based on the subtype of depression you have. For example:
To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania. To be considered manic, the elevated mood must last for at least one week and be present most of the day, nearly every day.
The criteria for each type of BPD are as follows:
Options for treating affective disorders include medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Specialist procedures may be recommended for certain cases.
Treatments are individualized based on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms.
Medications
Various psychiatric medications are available for the treatment of various mood disorders. They work in different ways to correct imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain.
These include:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a common part of treatment for all mood disorders. Among the many options, there are two that are more commonly used:
Specialist Procedures
Specialist therapeutic procedures may be recommended for certain types of depression or when other standard therapies fail to provide relief:
Lifestyle
Lifestyle can contribute to better management of mood disorders. Some changes that can help include the following:
Living with a mood disorder is no easy feat. Affective disorders can touch every area of life, from relationships to careers to self-esteem to physical health. However, it is possible to live well despite the difficulties that come with these types of mental disorders.
Focusing on sleep hygiene, getting support from friends and family, getting regular exercise, eating healthy, and staying away from substances can vastly improve your quality of life if you are living with a mood disorder.
Joining a support group can help you feel less alone in your struggles as well. Organizations that can be helpful in finding support include the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Where to Find HelpIf you or a loved one is struggling with a mood disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Where to Find Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with a mood disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Summary
Mood disorders are a group of mental conditions that adversely affect your emotional state. This includes major depression disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BPD). There are subtypes of MDD and BPD that differ in the type, severity, and timing of symptoms they cause.
The diagnosis of a mood disorder is based on criteria outlined in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”(DSM-5). The treatment of mood disorders may involve medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Specialist procedures may be needed for certain cases.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Datta S, Suryadevara, Cheong J.Mood Disorders.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2021 Dec 1;27(6):1712-1737. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001051National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Any mood disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Wu X, Zhu Y, Wu Z, et al.Identifying the subtypes of major depressive disorder based on somatic symptoms: a longitudinal study using latent profile analysis.Front Psychiatry.2022;13:759334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.759334Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mood disorders.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.Melrose S.Seasonal affective disorder: an overview of assessment and treatment approaches.Depress Res Treat.2015;2015:178564. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Datta S, Suryadevara, Cheong J.Mood Disorders.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2021 Dec 1;27(6):1712-1737. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001051National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Any mood disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Wu X, Zhu Y, Wu Z, et al.Identifying the subtypes of major depressive disorder based on somatic symptoms: a longitudinal study using latent profile analysis.Front Psychiatry.2022;13:759334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.759334Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mood disorders.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.Melrose S.Seasonal affective disorder: an overview of assessment and treatment approaches.Depress Res Treat.2015;2015:178564. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Datta S, Suryadevara, Cheong J.Mood Disorders.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2021 Dec 1;27(6):1712-1737. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001051National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Any mood disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Wu X, Zhu Y, Wu Z, et al.Identifying the subtypes of major depressive disorder based on somatic symptoms: a longitudinal study using latent profile analysis.Front Psychiatry.2022;13:759334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.759334Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mood disorders.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.Melrose S.Seasonal affective disorder: an overview of assessment and treatment approaches.Depress Res Treat.2015;2015:178564. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
Datta S, Suryadevara, Cheong J.Mood Disorders.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2021 Dec 1;27(6):1712-1737. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001051
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
National Institute of Mental Health.Any mood disorder.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
Wu X, Zhu Y, Wu Z, et al.Identifying the subtypes of major depressive disorder based on somatic symptoms: a longitudinal study using latent profile analysis.Front Psychiatry.2022;13:759334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.759334
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mood disorders.
Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?
Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.
Melrose S.Seasonal affective disorder: an overview of assessment and treatment approaches.Depress Res Treat.2015;2015:178564. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
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