What is a Mood Disorder?
“Mood Disorder” represents a category of mental illnesses in which the underlying problem primarily affects a person’s persistent emotional state (their mood).1 The most common we see is depression & bipolar disorder.
What are the symptoms of a Mood Disorder?
Depression causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.2 Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and uncharacteristic behaviors—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects.3
References
1NIMH: Any Mood Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-mood-disorder
2NIMH: Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
3NIMH: Bipolar Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder