Mood Disorders: Different Types And How They Appear Clinically

A mental health illness that predominantly affects your emotional state is called a mood disorder. You experience prolonged episodes of intense happiness, grief, or both under this condition. Anger and irritation are two more persistent emotions that are associated with certain mood disorders. It is challenging for people with mood disorders to operate normally because their overall emotional state, or mood, is warped or discordant with the situation.

It’s common for the mood to change depending on the circumstances. On the other hand, symptoms of mood disorders can last for several weeks or more. It may alter your behavior and make it more difficult for you to carry out daily tasks like going to work or school.

Clinical Mood Disorder-Related Conditions

The two most common mood disorders are bipolar disorder and depression. Furthermore, anxiety disorders have an impact on mood and often coexist with sadness. Despite not being a mood disorder, anxiety (specifically, generalized anxiety disorder) frequently precedes or coexists with mood disorders. Among the things falling under mood disorders are:

• Major depressive illness, which causes protracted, intense melancholy.

• Bipolar disorder: Often referred to as manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, this condition exhibits manic episodes mixed with depression.

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): at the far northern and southern latitudes, from the end of fall to the beginning of spring, there are typically less daylight hours.

• Cyclothymic disorder: less severe than bipolar illness, it generates emotional ups and downs.

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: in women, mood swings and irritation happen during the premenstrual period and go away when menstruation starts.

• Dysthymia, or persistent depression, is a chronic type of depression.

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: this condition is marked by a child’s chronic, severe, and persistent irritation, sometimes accompanied by intermittent outbursts of temper that are out of character for the child’s developmental stage.

• Medication-related depression: a persistently low mood and a significant reduction in enjoyment of most activities that are directly associated with the physical side effects of another medical disease.

• Depression brought on by substance abuse or medication exposure: symptoms of depression that appear during or shortly after substance abuse, withdrawal, or medication exposure.

The Manifestation’s Clinical Presentation

The symptoms of each mood illness vary in number and/or in pattern. Mood disorders are commonly associated with symptoms that impact mood, sleep, eating habits, energy levels, and cognitive capacities.

Generally speaking, depression symptoms manifest as:

• Feeling depressed most of the time, or virtually every day.

• Feeling lethargic or lacking in energy.

• A sense of hopelessness or unworthiness.

• Lack of interest in once-enjoyable pursuits.

• Thoughts of passing away or suicide.

• Difficulties focusing or concentrating.

• Tired or lacking in sleep.

• An appetite loss or binge eating.

Typically, signs of manic or hypomanic episodes appear as:

• Having an overwhelming sense of energy or joy.

• Quick movements or speaking.

• Easily agitated, restless, or irritable.

• Taking unnecessary risks, such as reckless driving or extravagant spending.

• Quick ideas.

• Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.

Frequency and Contributing Elements

All age groups are susceptible to mood disorders, including children, adolescents, and adults. The likelihood of major depression in women is double that of males.

It is believed that a number of variables contribute to the development of mood disorders, including

• Biological factors: Emotions and feelings are regulated by the brain’s orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. Brain imaging examinations have revealed an enlarged amygdala in people with mood problems.

• Genetic factors: Mood problems may be partially inherited as evidenced by the higher likelihood of developing mood disorders in people with a family history of the condition.

• Environmental factors: A mood disorder, especially depression, can develop later in life as a result of stressful life events such as the death of a loved one, ongoing stress, traumatic events, and childhood abuse. Chronic sickness is another factor that might lead to depression.