top of page

MOOD DISORDERS

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects your emotional state. They can cause

persistent and intense sadness, elation and/or anger. Mood disorders are treatable — usually with a

combination of medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, affect people emotionally. If you have depression, you may constantly feel sad. You also may be anxious. If you have bipolar disorder, you'll likely have extreme mood swings. Your feelings may range from being very sad, empty or cranky to being very happy — going back and forth between each mood. Mood disorders are more common in women but also frequently happen in men.

​

Mission Psychiatry has highly trained psychiatric professionals that are available to help treat and diagnose mood disorders.

What are Mood Disorders?

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects your emotional state. It’s a disorder in which you experience long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness or both. Certain mood disorders involve other persistent emotions, such as anger and irritability.

It’s normal for your mood to change, depending on the situation. However, for a mood disorder diagnosis, symptoms must be present for several weeks or longer. Mood disorders can cause changes in your behavior and can affect your ability to perform routine activities, such as work or school.

Mood disorders include:

  • Depression and its subtypes

  • Bipolar disorder and its subtypes

  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

  • Intermittent explosive disorder

What are Symptoms of Mood Disorders?

Each mood disorder has different symptoms and/or different patterns of symptoms.

Mood disorders typically have symptoms that affect your mood, sleep, eating behaviors, energy level and thinking abilities (such as racing thoughts or loss of concentration).

In general, depressive symptoms include:

  • Feeling sad most of the time or nearly every day

  • A lack of energy or feeling sluggish

  • Feeling worthless or hopeless

  • Loss of interest in activities that formerly brought enjoyment

  • Thoughts about death or suicide

  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing

  • Sleeping too much or not enough

  • Loss of appetite or overeating

 

In general, symptoms of hypomanic or manic episodes include:

  • Feeling extremely energized or elated

  • Rapid speech or movement

  • Agitation, restlessness or irritability

  • Risk-taking behavior, such as spending more money than usual or driving recklessly

  • Racing thoughts

  • Insomnia or trouble sleeping

How are Mood Disorders Treated?

Treatment for mood disorders depends on the specific condition and symptoms. Usually, treatment involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called talk therapy). There are also other types of treatment, such as brain stimulation therapy. Mood disorders can often be treated with success.

 

Treatment may include antidepressant and mood-stabilizing medicines. These medicines work very well in treating mood disorders, especially when combined with psychotherapy. Families also play a vital supportive role in any treatment process.

Someone with a mood disorder may have times of stability and times when symptoms return. Long-term, continuous treatment can help the person stay healthy and control symptoms. When correctly diagnosed and treated, people with mood disorders can live stable, productive, healthy lives.

bottom of page