Mood Disorder

What is a mood disorder?

A mood disorder is a broad term used to describe mental health conditions that affect your emotional state. Mood disorders can cause sadness and depression. Some mood disorders bring out other emotions such as anger, anxiety, irritability, or a feeling of apathy.

What causes mood disorders?

What causes mood disorders? Researchers and medical professionals do not have a pinpointed answer for this question, but believe both biological and environmental factors are at play. If your family history includes individuals who have been diagnosed with mood disorders, your likelihood of experiencing them, while still low overall, is increased. Traumatic life events are also considered culprits of the onset of mood disorders as well. Mood disorders can negatively impact your work life and school life and intrude on your personal relationships. In some cases, medications and substance abuse can be the cause behind your disorder.

Types of mood disorders

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is characterized by prolonged and persistent periods of extreme sadness.

While it is normal to experience sadness or grief during traumatic life events, if this depression continues even when the events are over, or there is no apparent cause for the sadness, this may classify as clinical or major depression.

This is a very common mental disorder that is accompanied by a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.

Bipolar I disorder

This disorder was formerly known as ‘manic depression,’ characterized by extreme emotional highs and extreme emotional lows that can last for several weeks or longer.

The extreme highs are called mania and involve euphoric and/or irritable moods and increased energy or activity.  An individual who experiences mania may present as being over-active and having high levels of energy. They may feel very happy, self-important, have racing thoughts, be unusually talkative, and be easily agitated.

The extreme lows of bipolar I disorder are symptomatic of depression symptoms. They may feel sad, hopeless, lethargic, have difficulty concentrating, feel worthless, and lose interest in everyday activities.

Bipolar I disorder is thought to be the most severe form of bipolar disorder, as manic episodes can cause disruption to everyday life, such as affecting work life and relationships. Someone who is experiencing a manic episode may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, which can have a detrimental impact on their well-being and safety.

Bipolar II disorder

This disorder causes cycles of depression which is similar to those who have bipolar I disorder.

Individuals with bipolar II disorder also experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania.

Hypomanic periods are not as intense or as disruptive as manic episodes, and people are usually able to handle daily tasks despite these episodes.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a type of depression that only occurs during certain seasons. Typically, depressed symptoms start in late autumn or early winter for many people, less commonly starting in spring or summer for others.

The symptoms of SAD resemble those of major depression, although SAD differs as the individual will usually start to feel better once the season is over.

Cyclothymic disorder

This disorder is sometimes defined as a milder form of bipolar disorder. It causes emotional highs and lows believed to be less extreme than in those experiencing bipolar I or II disorder.

Individuals with cyclothymic disorder experience continuous irregular mood swings for extended periods. The mood changes can occur suddenly, at any time, with only short periods of baseline mood.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

This is a newer type of depressive disorder that was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

This is usually diagnosed in children who exhibit persistent irritability and anger with frequent episodes of extreme temper outbursts without any observable cause. This is often diagnosed when the symptoms are inconsistent with the child’s developmental age.

Persistent depressive disorder

This disorder was previously known as dysthymic disorder, a less severe form of major depression.

This type of depressive disorder is long-term, occurring for at least two years for individuals, and the symptoms of depression occasionally lessen during this time.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

This is characterized by mood changes and irritability during the premenstrual stage of a female’s cycle.

They will often experience extreme mood swings, hopelessness, anger, anxiety, or tension. Once the individual begins their menstruation, the symptoms usually cease.

Other mood disorders

• Mood disorder due to medication, drugs, or medical conditions. Sometimes substances and underlying medical conditions can create symptoms similar to bipolar disorder.
• Mood disorder with a specifier. The DSM-5 includes conditions, known as specifiers, which indicate a specific condition the mood disorder presents with. “With seasonal pattern,” for example, is a specifier that may commonly be applied to depressive episodes in what’s known as seasonal affective disorder.
• “Other” or “unspecified.” When mood episodes impact daily functioning but can’t fit under any other diagnosis, they may be listed as “other” or “unspecified” mood disorder.

Common symptoms of mood disorders

While each mood disorder diagnosis has its own set of symptoms and criteria, some universal symptoms include:

• poor self-image or low self-esteem
• loss of interest in hobbies or entertainment
• appetite changes
• weight gain or loss
• fatigue
• changes in sleep patterns
• anxiety
• apathy or a sense of emptiness
• feelings of hopelessness or despair
• mood changes
• indecisiveness or lack of concentration
• withdrawal from social activities
• suicidal or self-harm ideation
• physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, or stomach pain

How are mood disorders treated?

Mood disorders are treated primarily through medications and psychotherapy. Even with treatment though, it is not uncommon for mood disorders to persist throughout a lifetime or to come and go on occasion. Education about mood disorders help individuals suffering from these conditions recognize patterns of behavior and thought that are indicative of a mood disorder resurfacing – and prompt them to seek additional treatment.

Typically, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are prescribed to individuals coping with mood disorders to alleviate emotional distress. Even with medications though, most mental health providers recommend them in combination with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is focused on changing thought patterns and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often considered the benchmark therapy treatment for individuals living with mood disorders. It has been found to have significant positive treatment effects, and in some cases, psychotherapy alone is enough to treat a mood disorder.

Some mood disorders, such as bipolar depression, are usually treated with lifelong medication of mood stabilizers combined with psychotherapy. In addition, the severity of some mood disorders may cause hospitalization, especially if the affected individuals have tried to inflict harm on themselves or others or have thoughts or attempted suicide.

What is the outlook for people with mood disorders?

Treatments for mood disorders can be effective, but about one-half of people with them will experience recurrences once their symptoms resolve. It isn’t possible to predict which patients will have recurrences. Some patients also develop anxiety disorders or psychosis after having a mood disorder.

When diagnosis and treatment are delayed, patients tend to have worse outcomes. People diagnosed late with bipolar disorder—due to a misdiagnosis or not seeking a diagnosis earlier—may develop a substance use disorder.

People with mood disorders are more likely to have a poorer quality of life than those who do not have them. They are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts/plans or have anxiety, a substance use disorder, or other health problems.

Medications for mood disorders

Most medications for mood disorders work on raising serotonin or norepinephrine levels. For depressive disorders, antidepressants are commonly prescribed to increase these neurotransmitter levels.

Often, antidepressants can help change energy levels, improve sleep, and they have proved effective in improving mood. Although different types of antidepressants are found to work equally well, some may be more effective depending on the individual.

If prescribed antidepressants, it is important to take them as prescribed and continue taking them even when starting to feel better. People usually report a significant improvement after taking the medication for 4-6 weeks.

Those who experience mania in bipolar disorder are often prescribed lithium, a mood stabilizer, in the first instance. Mood stabilizers are medications used to help regulate the mood swings that occur with bipolar disorder by reducing abnormal brain activity.

They usually help to protect someone from the extreme highs of a manic episode and the severe lows of a depressive episode. Antipsychotics, previously known as tranquilizers, are generally known to treat psychosis but can also be used to treat bipolar disorder and depression.

They can be especially useful for people with bipolar disorder who experience mania or mixed episodes. They can also sometimes be used to treat depression if symptoms are not controlled with an antidepressant alone.