Disorders and Treatments Guide: Mood Disorders

By Maria Colenso

Mood disorders are characterized by extreme fluctuations in elation and sadness, or an inappropriate or limited range of feelings. An estimated 20.9 million Americans age 18 or older suffer from a mood disorder every year. Also known as "affective disorders," mood disorders include, but aren't limited to, the following:

Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Dysthymic disorder (a chronic but milder form of major depression)
Cyclothymic disorder (a milder form of bipolar disorder)
Seasonal affective disorder

When certain medications (such as benzodiazepines), illicit drugs (such as methamphetamine and cocaine) or alcohol can be tied to the onset of a mood disorder, it is referred to as substance-induced mood disorder.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of major depression may include:

Feelings of sadness, guilt and worthlessness
Fatigue or loss of energy
Inability to concentrate
Changes in appetite, sleep and sex drive
Unexplained crying
Unexplained physical aches and pains
Irritability, restlessness, pessimism, anxiety
Loss of interest in normal day-to-day activities
Recurring thoughts of death, dying and suicide

Symptoms of dysthymic disorders are similar to those of major depression but tend to be milder and longer lasting.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder may include mania, in the form of:

Irritability or excitability
Increased energy
Racing thoughts
Inflated self-esteem and feelings of invulnerability
Heightened sex drive
Decreased need for sleep
Long-simmering rage with angry outbursts

Or symptoms of bipolar disorder may include signs of depression in the form of:

Fatigue
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt
Loss of appetite and weight loss or an increase in appetite and weight gain
Decreased sex drive
An increase or disturbances in sleep
Thoughts of or attempted suicide

Cyclothymic disorders may have similar but milder symptoms.

Seasonal affective disorder symptoms may include:

Anxiety
Carbohydrate cravings
Changes in sleep patterns, increased sleep or sleepiness
Depression
Lethargy
Loss of interest in work and/or hobbies
Social withdrawal

For more information, visit Mental Health America's factsheet about mood disorders:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/mood-disorders

Therapies

Treatment for mood disorders is successful for the majority of patients. Treatment plans may include psychotherapy ("talk" therapy) and medication such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Mood disorders often co-exist with other mental disorders -- for example, sufferers of major depressive episodes often also suffer from anxiety disorders, panic attacks or substance abuse. Treatment for mood disorders may also include therapies to alleviate symptoms of co-exiting conditions.

Resources