Mood Disorders: What They Are, Symptoms & Treatment

What Is Mood Disorder

A mood disorder is a type of mental health condition that impacts your emotional state. It's a condition in which you go through extended phases of very happy, extremely sad, or both. Other enduring emotions, such anger and irritation, are a part of several mood swings disorder.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), mood disorders have been broadly categorized as bipolar disorders and depressive disorders.

Depending on the circumstances, it's common for your mood to fluctuate. For a diagnosis of a mood disorder, symptoms must be present for a few weeks or longer. Your behavior may alter as a result of mood problems, which can also make it difficult for you to carry out daily tasks like going to work or school.

Individuals of all ages might experience mood problems. The mood disorders symptoms.that adults experience are not necessarily the same in kids and teenagers. Because they aren't always able to verbalize their emotions, children with mood swings disorder are more difficult to identify.

What types of mood disorders are there?

There are several types of mood disorders, each with distinct characteristics and symptoms. Some of the most common types include:

Depression

There are several types of depression, such as:

• Postpartum depression (peripartum depression): Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) experience this sort of depression during or after giving birth. Following childbirth, women and people AFAB go through hormonal, physical, emotional, economical, and societal upheavals. Postpartum depression symptoms may be brought on by these changes.
• Persistent depressive disorder: This type of depression is persistent and must endure for at least two years. Occasionally, the intensity of the symptoms may reduce during this period. Although it's not as bad as major depressive disorder, it nonetheless exists.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Seasonal variations in this form of depression might be seen. Usually, it begins in the late fall or early winter and lasts into the spring or summer. Less frequently, SAD episodes might start in the late spring or the summer. Seasonal affective disorder in the wintertime has symptoms that mirror severe depressive disorder. In the spring and summer, they usually go away or become less prevalent.
• Depression with psychosis: This is a severe form of sadness accompanied with psychotic episodes, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that other people don't) or delusions (holding firm but untrue ideas). The likelihood of having suicidal thoughts is higher in those who have psychotic depression.

Bipolar disorder

Extreme mood swings, energy fluctuations, cognitive changes, and behavioral changes are all symptoms of bipolar disorder, a lifelong mood illness and mental health condition. Bipolar illness can take several different forms, all of which are characterized by intense mood swings known as hypomanic/manic and depressed episodes.

There are four types of bipolar disorder, they are:

• Bipolar I disorder: Mania episodes may have occurred once or more for those who have bipolar I disorder. The majority of persons with bipolar I will have periods of both mania and depression, however a depressive episode is not required for a diagnosis.
• Bipolar II disorder: Similar to bipolar I, this illness results in depressive cycles. Additionally, a person with this condition has hypomania, a milder type of mania. In comparison to manic episodes, hypomanic phases are less severe and disruptive. Most people with bipolar II illness are capable of managing their everyday obligations.
• Cyclothymia disorder (cyclothymia): A person with cyclothymic disorder has a persistently unsettled mood. For at least two years, they go through periods of hypomania and moderate depression.

Other mood disorders

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Seven to ten days prior to menstruation, this form of mood conditions appears, and it disappears a few days after the start of the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) takes on a more severe form in this situation. The menstrual cycle's associated hormonal changes, according to researchers, are what cause this illness. Anger, irritability, anxiety, melancholy, and sleeplessness are just a few symptoms that might be present.

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD): Children and teenagers are impacted by DMDD. There are regular fits of rage and impatience that are out of proportion to the circumstances. Anger is typically present in DMDD, which occurs before the age of 10, and is more severe than intermittent explosive disorder (IED).

What signs or symptoms indicate mood disorders?

A person may have various depressive symptoms depending on their age and kind of mood illness. There are, however, certain widespread signs and symptoms of mood disorder that are frequently connected to mood disorders. The following signs of mood disorders are typical:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): 

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness 
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed (anhedonia) 
• Significant changes in appetite or weight 
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping 
• Fatigue or loss of energy 
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt 
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things 
• Restlessness or slowed movements Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Bipolar Disorder:

• Episodes of depression: Similar symptoms to major depressive disorder 
• Episodes of mania or hypomania: Elevated mood, increased energy, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, excessive talking, impulsivity, engaging in risky behaviors, and difficulty focusing or completing tasks

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder):

• Chronic low-grade depression lasting for at least two years 
• Depressed mood most of the day, more days than not 
• Feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, poor concentration, and lack of interest in activities

Cyclothymic Disorder:

• Numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a full manic or major depressive episode

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD):

• Severe and recurrent temper outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation 
• Persistent irritability between outbursts

These sentiments are stronger than what a person would occasionally feel in the absence of mood swings disorder. It's also cause for concern if these emotions last for a long time or get in the way of one's pursuits of friends, family, community, or employment. Anyone who exhibits suicidal thoughts should seek medical attention straight once.

Why do mood disorders occur?

Researchers believe several factors contribute to the development of mood disorders, including:

• Biological factors: The amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex are the parts of the brain that regulate your emotions and moods. According to brain imaging studies, the amygdala is larger in those with mood disorders.
• Genetic factors: It is clear that mood disorders are probably partially genetic/inherited since those who have a significant family history of mood conditions are more likely to have one themselves.
• Environmental factors: Major risk factors for the development of a mood illness later in life, particularly depression, include stressful life circumstances including the death of a loved one, chronic stress, traumatic events, and childhood abuse. Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and heart disease are just a few of the chronic conditions that have been related to depression.

Who is at risk of getting mood disorders?

Anyone, at times, can experience sadness or depression. However, compared to regular sensations of melancholy, mood disorders are more powerful and difficult to control. If a parent suffers from a mood disorder, there is a higher likelihood that the child, adolescent, or adult will as well. But stress and life's circumstances might bring forth or exacerbate depressive or glum moods. The sensations are now more challenging to control. 

Life's difficulties can sometimes cause depression. Being laid off from a job, being divorced, losing a loved one, having a family member pass away, and having financial difficulties, to mention a few, can all be trying, and managing the strain may be challenging. These stressful situations and life events might increase feelings of melancholy or depression or make it more difficult to control a mood disorder.

Nearly two times as many women as males experience depression. Once someone in the family receives this illness, there is a greater likelihood that their siblings or kids will also receive it. Additionally, family members of those with depression are more likely to develop bipolar illness. Once a member of the family receives a bipolar conditions diagnosis, there is a higher likelihood that their siblings or offspring will also receive the same label. Family members of bipolar patients are likewise more likely to experience depression.

How are mood disorders identified?

In order to rule out physiological explanations for mood disorder symptoms, such as thyroid disease, other diseases, or a vitamin deficiency, a healthcare professional may do a medical examination on you or your kid if you or they exhibit signs of a mood disorder.

Your healthcare professional will inquire about your medical history, any drugs you're taking, and if you or any family members have ever been given a mood disorder diagnosis. They could suggest that you contact a mental health therapist.

A mood disorder is often identified when sorrow, joy, rage, or another emotion is:

• Excessively focused and persistent.
• Accompanied by additional signs of a mental condition, such as changes in activities or sleep patterns.
• Significantly reduces the person's ability to do their duties.

Your symptoms, eating and sleeping patterns, and other behaviors will be discussed during an interview or survey conducted by a mental health therapist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. They establish diagnosis of mood disorders using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.

What are the chances of developing mood disorders?

The intensity, kind, and timing of the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders, as well as their correct management, all affect how well they will progress over time. Most people who suffer from a mood disorder consistently experience emotions of melancholy, and they may also occasionally feel hopeless, powerless, and irritated. The duration of mood disorder symptoms.in the absence of therapy might be weeks, months, or even years.

The majority of patients experience around 50 percent of their lifespan in excellent health and the remaining 40 percent in mostly depressed mood states that fluctuate throughout a wide severity spectrum. It may be necessary to have long-term or lifelong therapy for depression and bipolar disorder since these conditions can relapse (come back after initial treatment) or remain continuous.

A person's capacity to care for themselves and sustain social contacts, as well as their likelihood of skipping work or school and committing suicide, are all heightened in people with mood disorders. However, many who have mood disorders can have stable, successful lives if properly identified and treated.

Mood disorders might last for the rest of a person's life or occasionally come and go, even with therapy. The intensity of mood disorder symptoms., a person's ability to grow normally and develop, and their quality of life may all be improved for those who suffer from mood disorders with education, early diagnosis, and treatment.

How are mood disorders treated?

Mood disorders are a legitimate medical condition that can be successfully addressed. The unique disease and symptoms must be considered while treating mood disorders. The following are some typical treatment for mood disorders:

Psychotherapy—most frequently interpersonal and/or cognitive-behavioral therapy. The goal of this therapy is to alter the patient's erroneous perceptions of both his or her surroundings and themselves. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their mood disorder.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Particularly helpful for borderline personality disorder and some forms of bipolar disorder, DBT focuses on emotional regulation and coping skills.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills to alleviate symptoms.

Additionally, it fosters the development of interpersonal relationships and the abilities to recognize and manage environmental stresses.

Lifestyle Changes:

Regular Exercise: Physical activity can improve mood by increasing endorphin levels and reducing stress.

Healthy Diet: A balanced diet can support overall well-being and brain function.

Adequate Sleep: Establishing good sleep hygiene is important for mood regulation.

Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help manage stress.

Support Groups: Joining support groups or participating in group therapy can provide a sense of community and understanding among people who share similar experiences.

Antidepressant and mood stabilizing medicines—particularly when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, have demonstrated to be quite effective in the treatment of depression.

People with mood disorders can have stable, fruitful lives when properly recognized and treated. It's crucial to understand that treating mood disorders frequently involves combining many therapies, and that finding the optimal mix that is effective for a given person may include some trial and error. Qualified mental health specialists should conduct an accurate diagnosis and administer the necessary treatments. They can evaluate mood disorder symptoms.

Conclusion

Health practitioners include all forms of depression and bipolar illnesses as mood disorders, a mental health category. Mood problems have an unclear cause. They are believed to be the outcome of chemical abnormalities in the brain by medical professionals. There are several forms of mental disorders that appear to run in families, but no genes have been found to link them. 

Currently, there are no effective means of preventing or lowering the prevalence of mood disorders. But early detection and treatment can lessen the intensity of symptoms, promote a person's typical growth and development, and raise the quality of life for those who suffer from mood disorders.