What is a Mood Disorder?
A mood disorder is a mental health illness that mainly impacts an individual’s emotions. It is a condition where an individual goes through extended periods of intense happiness, extreme sadness, or both simultaneously. Some mood disorders also include feelings like anger and irritability.
Mood disorders can manifest as either depression alone, previously known as “unipolar depression,” or they can include mania, as seen in bipolar disorders, previously referred to as “manic depressive disorder.” Individuals with mood disorders experience impairments or limitations in various aspects of their daily lives, such as social, work, school, or other important areas.
Although it is typical for us to have our mood change from time to time depending on the situation, to receive a mood disorder diagnosis, symptoms must last for several weeks or longer. Mood disorders may change how you behave and limit your ability to perform self-care and daily responsibilities.
Types of Treatment for Mood Disorders
The treatment of mood disorders involves various forms of psychotherapy tailored to each individual’s needs. The primary aims of these interventions are to reduce symptoms, accelerate recovery, and improve overall treatment outcomes. Some of the types of psychotherapies that are commonly employed to help individuals with mood disorders are CBT and DBT, which can be delivered in a one-on-one setting or as group therapy.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBTis an evidence-based talk therapy that focuses on the interaction among thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It works by helping the individual identify irrational thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that contribute to negative feelings and maladaptive behaviours. Once those distorted thoughts are recognised, they are challenged, modified, and replaced to generate a more rational way of thinking. CBT therapists also assist individuals in changing their unhealthy behaviours and teach them various skills to effectively deal with daily triggers and stressors.
- Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT): Another form of psychotherapy that can be utilised to treat individuals with mood disorders is DBT. It is a type of CBT and a research-supported intervention integrating mindfulness principles. DBT therapists address the symptoms of mood disorders by acquiring ways to manage intense emotions, improve connections with others, and achieve a sense of empowerment to control their own lives. Considering the strong education component of this approach, the primary goal of DBT is to teach individuals with various skills through its four core modules to address their challenges and discover ways to effectively handle their symptoms.
Different Types of Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are clusters of conditions that primarily involve disturbances in one’s emotional state and stability. These include both depression- and bipolar-related disorders.
Depression
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a condition characterised by a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities accompanied by changes in appetite that lead to weight gain or loss, sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia), fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, problems in concentration, and recurrent thoughts or acts of suicide. Other typical depressive disorders include:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This condition typically occurs during specific seasons annually. It begins in late fall or early winter and continues through spring or summer. Episodes of SAD may also start less frequently in late spring or summer. Symptoms of winter seasonal affective disorder can look similar to those of major depression, but they tend to disappear in the spring and summer seasons.
Persistent Depressive Disorder: Previously known as dysthymia, this condition includes similar symptoms to those of MDD, but individuals experience less intense symptoms for at least two years.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD): This type of depressive disorder is characterised by intense mood-related symptoms such as irritability, anger, and depressed mood that occur in the final week before the onset of menses.
Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterised by fluctuations in an individual’s mood, energy, thoughts, and behaviours. There are a few types of bipolar disorder that manifest distinct mood swings called hypomanic, manic, and depressive episodes.
Cyclothymia: This condition is characterised by a chronic, unstable mood state. Individuals with cyclothymia experience hypomania and less intense depressive episodes for at least two years.
Bipolar I: This type of bipolar disorder is characterised by the presence of a depressive episode as well as a manic episode where an individual experiences feeling overly happy for a long period of time, talking fast with racing thoughts, being easily distracted, being overly confident in one’s abilities, and engaging in risky behaviours that persist for at least one week.
Bipolar II: Similar to Bipolar I, individuals with this condition have depressive episodes but experience a milder form of manic episodes known as hypomania, which lasts for four days.
Symptoms of Mood Disorders
Although different mood disorders have distinct diagnostic features, they also share similar signs and symptoms. These include:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest in or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Irritability and aggression
- Decreased or low energy
- Problems with concentration
- Indecisiveness
- Changes in appetite
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Various physical complaints (e.g., headache, fatigue, muscle pain)
- Repeated thoughts of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or attempts
Risk Factors for Mood Disorders
The exact causes of mood disorders remain unknown and complex. However, a number of studies have pointed out several factors that make an individual at risk for a mood disorder:
Brain Structures: Certain brain parts, such as the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex, influence our moods and emotions. Individuals with mood problems have been found to have abnormalities in the size and function of these brain parts.
Genetics: Evidence from research and clinical practice shows that children whose parents suffer from depression are more likely to develop the condition on their own. An individual has a 27% chance of inheriting a mood disorder from one parent, and this risk doubles if both parents have the condition.
Psychosocial and Environmental: Mood disorders are more prevalent in those who have a history of trauma, sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical impairment, childhood bereavement, alcoholism, and a lack of family structure. Particularly, chronic depression may be more prevalent in communities hit by conflict, natural catastrophes, poverty, or neglect.
Co-Occurring Conditions
Individuals with mood disorders are also commonly diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders, to name a few. However, the diagnosis of mood disorder alongside substance use disorder (SUD) has become prevalent and has gained significant attention in recent years.
SUD is a condition characterised by a problematic pattern of substance use that causes distress and impairment in various aspects of life. Often referred to as substance addiction, individuals with this illness experience uncontrolled cravings for substances, loss of control in using them, and manifest tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
Treating dual diagnoses such as mood disorder and SUD requires a more complex and integrated approach to achieve long-term recovery.
Get Mood Disorders Treated at Sivana Rehab
Having a mood disorder is more than a mere occasional mood swing. It is a condition that affects almost all aspects of one’s life. Whether you are here to learn more about mood disorders or to explore treatment options for yourself or somebody else, Sivana Rehab is here to help and assist you.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you or what we can offer, our dedicated staff is more than willing to share some time with you. You can connect with us anytime through email, message, or call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Most Common Mood Disorder?
Although there is a wide range of conditions under the mood disorder classification, the most commonly diagnosed is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that almost 5% of adults suffer from depression globally.
Are Mood Disorders Permanent?
Although symptoms of mood disorders often persist, mood disorders are generally not permanent conditions. With appropriate treatment from mental health professionals, symptoms can be reduced.
Are Mood Disorders Hard to Live With?
Yes, aside from the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural dysfunction brought by a mood disorder, individuals with this condition often experience impairments in daily life.