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 are more extreme or that last longer than normal emotional reactions. There are several major types of mood disorders:
Major depressive disorder
- Also called clinical depression, it causes severe, long-lasting depression
- Symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, lifeless, worthless, guilty, irritable, anxious, or restless
- Can make it hard to do everyday activities
Bipolar disorder
- Causes extreme mood swings between emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression)
- During manic phases, a person might feel very happy, energetic, or irritable
- Mania can affect thinking and judgment leading to risky behavior
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- A type of depression triggered by less daylight in fall and winter
- Symptoms include low energy, sleep issues, changes in appetite and mood
Dysthymia
- Persistent, mild depression that lasts at least 2 years
- Doesn't completely impair functioning but keeps a person from feeling good
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
- Occurs in children and teens
- Involves ongoing irritability and frequent, intense temper outbursts
Common mood disorder symptoms include:
What causes mood disorders?
Research suggests mood disorders likely stem from a complex mix of:
To diagnose a mood disorder, a mental health provider asks about symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior over time. They may perform blood tests to identify biological causes like hormone imbalances.
Mood disorders require some form of treatment since symptoms usually continue without intervention. Treatment options include:
No matter your specific symptoms, the caring medical team at Hormone Solutions can help you find the right treatment plan. Reach out today to learn more.