Mood Disorders

• Family history
• Previous diagnosis of a mood disorder
• Trauma, stress or major 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 disease and heart disease.
• Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder

List of Mood Disorders 

It is not uncommon for individuals to inaccurately use the terms mood disorder and personality disorder interchangeably. Mood disorders are related to an individual’s relationship with their emotions. Everyone has emotional highs and lows. But for most individuals, they’re manageable and short-lived. Mood disorders cause emotional lows or highs that last for days, weeks, or longer. They’re also more intense than normal. 

Personality disorders are patterns of thought, belief, and behavior that differ from the norm. This includes how they form and maintain relationships with friends, family, and intimate partners. Individuals with these personality disorders tend to repeat patterns in their relationships, which are often confusing, volatile, and difficult. The primary difference between the two is that mood disorders generally cause periods of emotional highs and/ or lows. 

Two of the most common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder. 

Depression (major or clinical depression). Depression disorder is a common mental disorder. Grief or sadness is a typical response to a traumatic life event or crisis, such as the death of a spouse or family member, loss of a job, or a major illness. However, when the depression continues to be present even when stressful events are over or there is no apparent cause, physicians would then classify the depression as clinical or major depression. For a person to be diagnosed with clinical depression, symptoms must last for at least two weeks.

There are several different types of depression. Symptoms may vary depending on the form of the disorder.

• Postpartum depression (peripartum depression) – This type of depression happens during pregnancy or after delivery
• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) – This is a chronic form of depression that can last for at least two years. Symptoms may occasionally lessen in severity during this time.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – This is another type of depression that happens during certain seasons of the year. It usually begins in the late autumn or early winter and lasts until spring or summer. Less commonly, SAD episodes may also start during the late spring or summer. Symptoms of winter seasonal affective disorder may resemble those of a major depression. They tend to disappear or lessen during spring and summer.
• Psychotic depression – This is a type of severe depression combined with psychotic episodes, such as hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not) or delusions (having fixed but false beliefs). The episodes may be disturbing or upsetting and often have a theme.
• Depression related to a medical condition, medication, or substance abuse

Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder). Bipolar disorder is defined by swings in mood from periods of depression to mania. When a person experiences a low mood, symptoms may resemble those of clinical depression. Depressive episodes alternate with manic episodes or mania. During a manic episode, a person may feel euphoric or can also feel irritable or have increased levels of activity.

Other Mood Disorders

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder – This type of mood disorder occurs seven to 10 days before menstruation and goes away within a few days of the start of the menstrual period. Researchers believe this disorder is brought about by the hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms may include anger, irritability, tension, decreased interest in usual activities, and sleep problems.
• Intermittent explosive disorder – This is a lesser-known mood disorder marked by episodes of unwarranted anger. It is commonly referred to as “flying into a rage for no reason.” In an individual with intermittent explosive disorder, the behavioral outbursts are out of proportion to the situation.

Mood Disorder Symptoms 

Symptoms depend on the type of mood disorder that is present.

How are Mood Disorders Diagnosed? 

Major depressive disorder is diagnosed by the presence of five out of the nine symptoms of sad mood, insomnia, decreased energy levels, feelings of guilt, decreased concentration, decrease in pleasurable activities (anhedonia), decreased appetite, increased or decreased psychomotor activity, and recurrent suicidal ideation/acts of self-harm/suicide attempt existing over a period of 2 weeks.

Three new depressive disorders have been incorporated under mood disorders in DSM-5:

Major depression episodes may precede or occur concurrently with persistent depressive disorder, and this is known as double depression. Other depressive disorders include depressive disorder due to another medical condition, substance or medication-induced depressive disorder, other specified depressive disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder.

If you’re concerned that you may have a mood disorder, make an appointment to see your doctor or a mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, a faith leader, or someone else you trust. Your mood disorder is unlikely to simply go away on its own, and it may get worse over time. Seek professional help before your mood disorder becomes severe — it may be easier to treat early on.

Alcohol, Substance Abuse and Depression

Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse are also connected to depression. Dual diagnosis – substance abuse and another mental disorder, usually a mood disorder – is an increasingly serious psychiatric concern. Whether alcohol or drug abuse causes depression, depression leads to drug or alcohol abuse, or both have a common cause, a vicious cycle ensues when addicts use the drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms the drugs or alcohol have caused. 

Cocaine, meth, and other stimulants act on neurotransmitters in the brain’s reward center, causing euphoria that is followed by depression as the effect subsides. Sometimes what appears to be major depression clears up after abstinence from drugs or alcohol. Individuals with severe mood disorders also have twice the average rate of nicotine addiction, and many become depressed when they try to stop smoking.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

To provide proper treatment for dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends an integrated treatment approach. Integrated treatment involves coordinating mental health and substance abuse interventions rather than treating each disorder separately without consideration for the other.

Integrated or dual diagnosis treatment often involves forms of behavioral treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), that can help improve coping skills and reduce maladaptive behaviors. These may be used in combination with medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Integration is key to achieving a healthy balance and long-term recovery.