Mood Disorders
Mood Disorder
A mood disorder is a mental health class that health professionals use to broadly describe all types of depression and bipolar disorders.
Children, teens, and adults can have mood disorders. However, children and teens don’t always have the same symptoms as adults. It’s harder to diagnose mood disorders in children because they aren’t always able to express how they feel. Therapy, antidepressants, and support and self-care can help treat mood disorders.
What are the different types of mood disorders?
These are the most common types of mood disorders:
Major depression. Having less interest in normal activities, feeling sad or hopeless, and other symptoms for at least 2 weeks may mean depression.
Dysthymia. This is an ongoing (chronic), low-grade, depressed, or irritable mood that lasts for at least 2 years.
Bipolar disorder. With this condition, a person has times of depression alternating with times of mania or a higher mood.
Mood disorder linked to another health condition. Many health conditions (including cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic illnesses) can trigger symptoms of depression.
Substance-induced mood disorder. Symptoms of depression may be caused by drug abuse, alcohol use disorder, exposure to toxins, or side effects of medicines.
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What are the symptoms of mood disorders?
Depending on age and the type of mood disorder, a person may have different symptoms when they become depressed. The following are the most common symptoms of a mood disorder:
– Ongoing sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
– Feeling hopeless or helpless.
– Having low self-esteem.
– Feeling inadequate or worthless.
– Excessive guilt.
– Not interested in normal activities or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex.
– Relationship problems.
– Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
– Changes in appetite or weight.
– Decreased energy.
– Trouble focusing.
– Less able to make decisions.
– Frequent physical complaints (for example, headache, stomachache, or tiredness) that don’t get better with treatment.
– Running away or threats of running away from home.
– Very sensitive to failure or rejection.
– Irritability, hostility, or aggression.
– Repeated thoughts of death or suicide, planning for death, or wishing to die
(Note: People with this symptom should get treatment right away!)