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Table of Contents
Examples
Characteristics
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatments
This article will cover the conditions that fall under the mood disorder category, as well as characteristics and causes of mood disorders, what to know about getting diagnosed with a mood disorder and common treatment options available.
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Mood Disorders in Psychology and Psychiatry
In theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5), mood disorders (affective disorders) are categorized as either depressive disorders or bipolar and related disorders. Subtypes are defined below.
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder(MDD), also known asclinical depression, affects the way a person feels, thinks, and acts. Symptoms include:
Other symptoms include difficulties making decisions, extreme fatigue, sleep and appetite changes, and thoughts of suicide or suicidal behaviors.
If you or a loved one needs mental health support, contact theSAMHSA National Hotlinefor treatment and support group referrals at800-662-HELP (4357). If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call911.
Persistent depressive disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)is a severe form ofpremenstrual syndrome(PMS) with a specific pattern of symptom onset and resolution. Symptoms include:
They present in the week or two before menstruation starts and typically last two or three days after menstruation starts.
What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?
Bipolar 1 disorder
People with bipolar disorder also experience depressive episodes, as well as psychotic symptoms that include disorganized thoughts, false beliefs, and hallucinations.
Bipolar Disorder Explained: Everything You Need to Know
Bipolar 2 Disorder
What Are the Differences Between Bipolar 1 and 2?
Cyclothymic disorder
People with cyclothymic disorder experience more frequent mood swings between depressive and hypomanic episodes. Diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder requires a person to have experienced many mood episodes over the course of the last two years, none of which fit the criteria for bipolar 1 or 2. Symptoms must last at least half the time and persisted for more than two months.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Substance- or Medication-Induced Mood Disorder
Using alcohol, drugs (e.g. cannabis, cocaine, and opioids), and certain medications can cause a person to experience symptoms of depression or symptoms of bipolar disorder (particularly psychosis).
To be considered a substance or medication-induced mood disorder, the symptoms must not have been present before you started using alcohol, drugs, or medications that may be responsible.
Polysubstance Abuse: Causes, Signs and Treatments
Is C-PTSD a Mood Disorder?Complex post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)also severely impacts a person’s emotions. It involves overlapping symptoms of depression including persistent sadness, guilt, and suicidal thinking. It is not a mood disorder listed in the DSM. C-PTSD is considered as a form of traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorder.
Is C-PTSD a Mood Disorder?
Complex post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)also severely impacts a person’s emotions. It involves overlapping symptoms of depression including persistent sadness, guilt, and suicidal thinking. It is not a mood disorder listed in the DSM. C-PTSD is considered as a form of traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorder.
Characteristics of Mood Disorders
Mood disorders have some overlapping symptoms and symptom differences. These defining features will help determine the appropriate diagnosis, so you can access the most effective treatment.
Symptom overlaps
No two people will experience a mood disorder in the exact same way. However, the key symptom overlap in mood disorders is some level of emotional (mood) disturbance. Depression symptoms are also present in all mood disorders.
Symptom differences
Symptom differences across mood disorders include the severity of symptoms, the level at which the symptoms impact a person’s overall functioning, frequency and duration of symptoms, and whether or not someone experiences mania or hypomania. People living with depressive disorders do not experience mania or hypomania, whereas people living with bipolar disorders must experience mania or hypomania to receive diagnosis.
Anxiety in Mood DisordersPeople experiencing mood disorders can also experience symptoms of anxiety. However, havingsymptoms of anxietyis not the same as having an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders fall under their own category in the DSM.
Anxiety in Mood Disorders
People experiencing mood disorders can also experience symptoms of anxiety. However, havingsymptoms of anxietyis not the same as having an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders fall under their own category in the DSM.
Mood Disorders
What Causes Mood Disorders?
Groups with a higher risk
Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing or experiencing mood disorders. Higher risk is associated with:
Medical Conditions Linked to Mood DisordersMedical conditions associated with mood disorders include:EncephalitisBrain tumorsMultiple sclerosisHeart, thyroid, or chronic kidney diseaseSexually transmitted infections such as syphilis or AIDSInfluenza or Q feverCancer
Medical Conditions Linked to Mood Disorders
Medical conditions associated with mood disorders include:EncephalitisBrain tumorsMultiple sclerosisHeart, thyroid, or chronic kidney diseaseSexually transmitted infections such as syphilis or AIDSInfluenza or Q feverCancer
Medical conditions associated with mood disorders include:
Pathway to Diagnosing Mood Disorders
Overlapping symptoms and living with more than one psychiatric or health condition (comorbidities) may complicate the pathway to diagnosing mood disorders.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder, consider consulting with your healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to symptoms. Healthcare providers can help determine whether or not your symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for specific mood disorders, and they can prescribe medications, suggest additional appropriate treatment methods, and make referrals to psychiatrists where necessary for further evaluation.
Prescription Abbreviations Including Sig
Mood Disorder Treatments
Mood disorder treatments include:
If these treatment methods are not providing relief from symptoms, additional or alternative treatments may be advised. For example, people with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder may be suitable for brain stimulation therapy.
How Quickly Does Prozac (Fluoxetine) Work?
Summary
12 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.
American Psychological Association.Mood disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?
National Institute of Mental Health.Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymic disorder).
Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Giourou E, Skokou M, Andrew SP, Alexopoulou K, Gourzis P, Jelastopulu E.Complex posttraumatic stress disorder: The need to consolidate a distinct clinical syndrome or to reevaluate features of psychiatric disorders following interpersonal trauma?World J Psychiatry. 2018;8(1):12-19. doi:10.5498/wjp.v8.i1.12
Ford JD, Courtois CA.Complex PTSD, affect dysregulation, and borderline personality disorder.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2014;1:9. doi:10.1186/2051-6673-1-9
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Depression.
Yale Medicine.Mood disorders.
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