Although moods can be temporary, when these moods persist to extremities and cause significant dysfunction, these can cause long-term disturbances.
Mood disorders can significantly impact an individual, causing disruptive and prolonged shifts in their emotional state, leading to feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness, irritability, or uncontrollable euphoria, thereby affecting their overall well-being, relationships, and daily functioning.
What Is a Mood Disorder?
Mood disorders are a broad umbrella term used for conditions in which disturbance of mood is the central feature. Common mood disorders include different types of depressive and bipolar disorders.
Mood disorders are found to affect about 20% of the general population at any given time. Specifically, in the US for instance, 17% of the population is thought to struggle with depression over the course of their lifetime, with bipolar disorders affecting 1% of the general population.
Whilst the rate for bipolar disorders is significantly lower, many researchers agree that many instances of manic moods (describing the emotional ‘highs’ of bipolar disorder) often go unnoticed or are deemed unproblematic, meaning that many people may go undiagnosed.
Types of Mood Disorders
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. 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.
What causes mood disorders?
Researchers believe several factors contribute to the development of mood disorders, including:
- Biological factors: The brain areas responsible for controlling your feelings and emotions are the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. People with mood disorders have been shown to have an enlarged amygdala on brain imaging tests.
- Genetic factors: People who have a strong family history of a mood disorder are more likely to develop mood disorders, which shows that mood disorders are likely partly genetic/inherited.
- Environmental factors: Stressful life changes, such as the death of a loved one; chronic stress; traumatic events; and childhood abuse are major risk factors for the development of a mood disorder later on in life, especially depression. Depression has also been linked to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease.
Psychotherapy for mood disorders
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Psychotherapy takes place with a trained, licensed mental health professional. Psychotherapy can provide support, education and guidance to you and/or your family to help you function better and increase your well-being.
Some of the more common types of psychotherapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a structured, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy. Mental health professionals use it to treat or manage mental health conditions and emotional concerns.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of talk therapy that’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it’s specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely.
- Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy is based on the idea that behavior and mental well-being are influenced by childhood experiences and problematic repetitive thoughts or feelings that are outside of your awareness (they’re unconscious).
When should I see my healthcare provider about a mood disorder?
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of a mood disorder, talk to a healthcare provider.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a mood disorder, you’ll likely need to see your provider and/or mental health professional regularly to make sure your treatment plan is working.
Discuss any concerns you have about changing or stopping medications with your provider or another health professional. Ask them whether you might need to try a different medication or have the dosage adjusted if the one you’re taking isn’t working or causes unpleasant side effects.