What are Mood Disorders?

​Everyone has mood swings.  There are highs, lows and everything in between.  A mood disorder is when someone experiences inordinately long periods of extreme emotion, which can be happiness or sadness or both.  The most common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder.
 
Depression
This is the more common mood disorder.  Depression can occur with a traumatic life event like loss of a loved one, loss of a job, major illness, etc.  It can also be spontaneous.   

• Postpartum depression – This is a depression associated with pregnancy and may occur during the pregnancy or following delivery.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder – This is sometimes referred to as dysthymia.  This is a depression that will last for two years or more.  The symptoms may lessen during that time, but although less severe, they still remain.
• Psychotic Depression – This is a severe form of the disorder that involves hallucinations and delusions.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – This is one you hear about generally during the winter especially if it is a winter with consistently overcast skies or weather that keeps people indoors.
• Medically Related – This comes about due to medication side effects, substance abuse or during a medical condition.

 
Bipolar Disorder
This has also been called manic-depression.  These are episodes of severe depression alternating with extreme activity and elation (mania).

• Bipolar I – Classified as the most severe form of the disease, the episodes will last a minimum of a week, depression will last for up to two weeks, and both the mania and depression can occur simultaneously.
• Bipolar II – This is a less severe form of the disease, but it can still be quite dysfunctional when untreated.  The mania is less intense and these people can frequently handle activities of daily living.
• Cyclothymia – People with this illness have continuous but irregular mood swings that may vary from mild to moderate levels but for extended periods of time.  There are usually only short periods of normalcy and the mood changes can occur quickly.
• Other – If someone has abnormal mood changes but does not fit into any of the above categories, it is placed in the catchall “other” diagnosis.  These include premenstrual dysphoric disorder and intermittent explosive disorder.

 
Symptoms
While the symptoms will vary depending on the type of mood disorder here are some indicators:

• Depression
  • Sadness daily or most of the time
  • Low to no energy
  • Feelings of low self worth
  • Loss of appetite, weight gain
  • Sleep issues
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Thoughts of death and suicide
• Bipolar
  • Unusually rapid speech or movements
  • Grandiosity
  • Agitation
  • Racing thoughts
  • Insomnia to the extreme
  • Feeling edgy for no apparent reason
  • Overly risk taking like gambling or reckless driving

 
The cause for mood disorders can include genetic (family history), biological, and environmental.  Bipolar disorders are associated with the structure and function in the brain.  Our psychiatrists in Houston are considered experts in mood disorders.  If you believe you may be experiencing a mood disorder, contact us today.