Mood disorders

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person's general emotional state and interfere with their ability to function. A mood disorder can make you experience long periods of extreme sadness, emptiness, depression or extreme happiness (mania).

There are several different types of mood disorders, and the symptoms may vary depending on the form and severity of the disorder.

The most common mood disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder — long and persistent periods of extreme sadness
• Bipolar disorder — also called manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, depression that includes alternating times of depression and mania.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a form of depression related to changes in the seasons and begins and ends at the same time every year.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder — mood changes and irritability that occur during the premenstrual phase of a woman's cycle.
• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) — a long-term form of depression.
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder — a disorder of persistent irritability in children that often includes frequent temper outbursts that are inconsistent with the child's developmental age.
• Depression related to medical illness — a persistent depressed mood and a significant loss of pleasure in most or all activities directly related to another medical condition's physical effects.
• Depression induced by substance use or medication ― depression symptoms that develop during or soon after substance use, withdrawal, or exposure to a medication.

The general symptoms of common mood disorders include:

• Feeling sad most of the time or nearly every day
• Lack of energy or feeling sluggish
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Gaining weight or losing weight
• Loss of interest in activities that formerly brought enjoyment
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Frequent thoughts about death or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

For some mood disorders like bipolar disorder, you may experience depression and mania episodes. The symptoms of these episodes include:

• Feeling extremely energised or happy
• Rapid speech or movement
• Agitation or restlessness
• Risk-taking behaviour, such as spending too much money or driving dangerously
• Unusual increase in activity or trying to do too many things at once
• Racing thoughts
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Feeling jumpy or on edge for no apparent reason

What causes mood disorders?

Several risk factors could trigger a mood disorder. These factors could be genetic, biological or even environmental.

They include:

• Family history
• Previous diagnosis of a mood disorder
• Trauma, stress or significant life changes in the case of depression
• Physical illness or use of certain medications — depression has been linked to major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, and heart disease
• Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder

When should you seek professional help?

If you feel that you may have a mood disorder, you should consider talking to a health care professional if you:

• Feel like your emotions are interfering with your daily activities and relationships
• Engage in substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol
• Have recurrent suicidal ideation, recurrent thoughts of death, or suicidal attempts

A mood disorder is unlikely to go away on its own and could worsen. Mood disorders can only be managed with medication, talk therapy and other treatment methods. Seeking the help of a mental health professional will help you get on top of your symptoms and prevent your condition from becoming more severe.