Mood Disorder Guide

What are Mood Disorders

The mood disorder definition in the dictionary is any disorder which is characterized by an overwhelming disturbance of mood that isn’t caused by an organic abnormality such as depression or bipolar disorder. These disorders are sometimes referred to as affective disorders.

Mood disorder is a term that designates a diagnosis from the DSM IV TR classification system with the main symptom being an underlying disturbance of a person’s overall sense of wellbeing. An English psychiatrist named Henry Maudsley is responsible for creating the category of mental illness known as affective disorders which was in turn replaced by a more descriptive name, mood disorders.

There are two major classifications of mood disorders which can be either manic or hypomanic. Manic disorders are known as depressive and most commonly described in medicine as major depressive disorder (MDD) and clinical depression (aka major depression).

Mania is an elevated mood which may be positive, negative or even a mixture of both. Hypomania is considered to be a less severe form of mania. Manic depression is generally described as intermittent episodes of mania or hypomania that’s usually bridged by periods of depressive episodes. In other words, you may feel really great or extremely sad with periods of depression that are slightly less severe mixed in between.

Types of Mood Disorders

Examples of mood disorders include depression, manic episodes or a combination of both. There are several classifications for both depressive disorders as well as bipolar disorders.

Bipolar Mood Disorders

A manic mood disorder can take many shapes and forms but is generally characterized by intense emotion, good or bad. A hypomanic episode may include periods of energy and creativity while manic episodes can be filled with mental anguish and extreme fear and sadness. Manic and hypomanic disorders are the “poles” of bi-polar disorder. You may be at one pole and suddenly swing to the other without much notice or provocation. You may even experience mixed states or psychotic episodes in more severe cases. Different types of bipolar disorders include:

Bipolar I – Often people who suffer from bipolar I have experienced a depressive episode in the past although not everyone will. Symptoms also include manic episodes or mixed episodes.
Bipolar II – Can include recurrent hypomanic or depressive episodes and may also include mixed episodes.
Cyclothymia – A form of bipolar disorder which may include recurrent episodes of hypomania or dysthymic depression. Typically not as severe as full blown manic episodes or clinical depression.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified – Patients diagnosed with BD-NOS are known as sub-threshold which means they may exhibit some symptoms of mania or depression but don’t fall into the formal classifications mentioned above.

This video can give you some insight on what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. One amazing quote from the video “15% of people with bipolar disorder kill themselves”. Bipolar disorder can be an extremely serious condition, especially when done untreated.

Use this link to watch the rest of the video:

Living with Bipolar Disorder – Part 2

Depressive Mood Disorder

There are many different types of depressive mood disorders which exhibit distinct symptoms and patterns. The descriptions below can help you determine the difference between the many different types of mood disorders.

The video below explains different types of depression in detail:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) – Also known as major depression, clinical depression or even unipolar depression which may cause one or more major depressive episodes. This type of depression can be diagnosed after just a single episode and is known as recurrent if more than one episode is experienced. Depression that lacks periods of mania is referred to as unipolar as you remain in a single emotional state or single “pole”. People suffering from major depressive disorder are much more likely to commit suicide. Seeking help for depression can drastically reduce the risk of suicide for anyone suffering from major depression. There are studies that have shown that by simply asking a person if they have thought of suicide you can diagnose them with depression without actually increasing their chance of committing suicide. Studies have shown that as many as 9% of the entire planet’s population may be suffering from depression at this very moment. It seems that depression knows no age limit as babies as young as 6 months have been diagnosed with depression after being separated from their mothers.
Atypical Depression – This type of depression is characterized by a person’s mood reactivity, weight gain through increased appetite and excessive sleeping. A person suffering from Atypical Depression (AD) make feel a heaviness in their arms and legs known as leaden paralysis and will generally be hypersensitive to social rejection.
Melancholic Depression – This type of depression is characterized by a loss of joy for life and activities which may have previously been pleasurable. The depressed mood could be seen as more than just grief or loss and symptoms may be worse in the early morning. Other symptoms may include psychomotor retardation, weight loss and excessive guilt.
Psychotic Major Depression (PMD) – AKA psychotic depression, this condition usually takes the form of melancholic depression but also includes strong delusions and possibly even hallucinations. These delusions and hallucinations usually take the form of negative thoughts and visions which coincide with the depressed feelings.
Catatonic Depression – This form of depression is a severe mood disorder which can include a complete lack of motor skills and movement or may feature irregular or bizarre movements.
Dysthmia – People who suffer from dysthmia report feeling mildly depressed or sad every day for years. The symptoms aren’t as pronounced as a manic episode or bout with clinical depression, however, people who struggle with dysthmia are much more likely to have a major depressive disorder at some time in their life. Treatment for dythsmia is more or less the same as any other type of depression and might include medications or therapy.
Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified DD-NOS for short is defined as code 311 and describes a condition which is impairing yet not otherwise described by the previous depressive mood disorder descriptions. It can also be used to describe two other conditions, recurrent brief depression and minor depressive disorder which are self explanatory based on their names.

Substance Induced Mood Disorder

Substance induced mood disorders, also known as SIMDs, first became part of the medical world back in the 1950s when a drug known as reserpine was found to cause depression in users. Since then a number of SIMDs have been identified. Although there has been a lot of empirical proof to validate the diagnosis of substance induced mood disorder, no controlled studies have been conducted to scientifically validate the phenomenon.

A substance induced mood disorder is characterized by a mood disorder that’s brought about either during drug use and during withdrawal from the drug. Although many illegal drugs have been found to cause SIMDs, there are also many over-the-counter and prescription drugs which are known to cause SIMDs as well.

Substance induced mood disorders are most common in drug users who also have risk factors for depression or bipolar disorder. Risk factors might include a family history of mood disorders or substance abuse.

Perinatal Mood Disorders

A perinatal mood disorder is any mood disorder associated with being pregnant or up to one year after giving birth, known as postpartum. Perinatal mood disorders include depression while pregnant, depression caused by loss of pregnancy, mood disorders caused by infertility, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and postpartum psychosis.

Mood Disorders during Pregnancy

Depression – Also known as perinatal depression, this condition may occur during pregnancy or up to a year following pregnancy. This is actually the most common complication of pregnancy among all women. A history of depression or substance abuse can certainly increase your chances of suffering from perinatal depression. It may also be caused by a lack of support from family and friends or anxiety caused by your current pregnancy or thoughts of past pregnancies. Normal causes for depression also apply to perinatal depression such as relationship issues or trouble with money. It’s actually quite normal for women to feel a little moody during pregnancy which usually includes feeling of irritability and fatigue. While mild mood changes can be normal, severe mood changes may require treatment.
Loss of Pregnancy – Dealing with a miscarriage is hard on any potential mother to be. It can even be quite devastating. Women who have miscarriages have a lot of physical and emotional pain to deal with which can easily lead to the onset of a mood disorder. Common feelings following a miscarriage usually includes anger, sadness, guilt and in extreme cases bouts of depression as well.
Infertility – Infertility is actually quite frequent accounting for 10-15% of all couples. Figuring out the reasons for the infertility as well as attempting to deal with infertility can be a huge drain that can further exacerbate any other problems a person may be having. It can easily stir up unresolved issues and has the ability to threaten future plans and ambitions. Dealing with infertility can lead to high amounts of stress, anxiety and can ultimately lead to clinical depression if gone untreated.

Postpartum Mood Disorders

Postpartum Depression – This type of mood disorder can be intense and very debilitating for women who have recently given birth. Statistically, postpartum mood disorders affect as many as 15% of all women who have given birth. It will typically set in within 3 months of giving birth and can last up to 3 months or longer. While it may be quite common for women to feel tired and even completely wiped out after a long pregnancy and giving birth postpartum can be characterized by a significant impairment at work, school or home. It can easily cause difficulties in relationships and may even make bonding with your new baby more difficult. It is possible to treat postpartum mood disorder with medication, even for women who are breastfeeding. In general medications like Paxil and Zoloft are a popular choice for those suffering from postpartum depression. Other courses of action may include therapy sessions or therapy sessions combined with anti-depressant medications.
Postpartum Anxiety Disorders – Anxiety disorders can be almost as common as postpartum depression for women who have given birth. Anxiety disorders can manifest themselves in many different ways including obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and even panic disorders. Anxiety can also contribute to postpartum depression. Symptoms might include restlessness, repeating thoughts or images of bad things happening, excessive worry, panic attacks and even hyperventilation.
Postpartum Psychosis – This is a severe form of postpartum depression which can be extremely serious and even life threatening. Symptoms can include delusions, disorganized thinking and hallucinations in severe cases. Mothers who suffer from bipolar disorder are more at risk for postpartum psychosis. Psychosis is generally an attribute of a severe manic episode. If you’re suffering from postpartum psychosis it’s important to seek treatment immediately to protect yourself and your family.

Episodic Mood Disorder

This term is generally used for symptoms which don’t generally fall into another diagnosis. Episodic mood disorders would be considered a Mood Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). This is used to describe any mood disorder which doesn’t clearly fall into any of the classifications set forth by the DSM IVtr. The diagnostic code is F39 in ICD 10 and 296.90 in the DSM.

Organic Mood Disorder

An organic mood disorder are attributed to organic illnesses like neurologic disorders, medical illnesses or even an adverse reaction to the effects of drugs used to treat an illness. Symptoms of an organic mood disorder can run the gamut from mild depression to full blown psychotic episodes. This can include irritability, depression, fear, anxiety and mania.

An organic mood disorder will typically subside with the discontinuation of drug use and illness. Treatment is much the same as any other mood disorder and can include medications, therapy or a combination of both.

What Causes Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a physical illness which occurs due to the imbalance of chemicals in your brain. Your brain is split up into many different control centers that control various aspects of your mental processing abilities which include thinking, planning and your mood. A thought in your brain is every bit as real as a physical event like moving your arm or breathing. Nerve cells react the same in your brain whether you are playing basketball or just thinking about hitting the court.

We can only have as much control over our brains and ultimate the control centers contained within when all of the nerve cells are functioning properly which is what gives us the control. Nerve cells have the ability to dysfunction just like any other cell in your body. When this happens it’s possible to begin to lose voluntary control of certain control centers in our brains. This is typically caused by an imbalance of chemicals which assist in the transmission of signals in the brain. Even with the best of intentions these malfunctions can lead to mood disorders and other mental illness.

Your Mood Control Center

The mood control center in your brain is responsible for creating your thought content and even the speed at which you think. This is a key in controlling your mood and even your ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. Your mood control center isn’t really a specific place in your brain but more of an overall function. If the nerve cells associated with your mood control center are functioning properly you’ll have a much easier time staying within acceptable ranges with your mood, thoughts and concentration.

Although it’s not really possible to measure mood in any quantitative way we all experience many different moods throughout any given day or even any given hour. This can include mind states such as being calm, relaxed, content, feeling in control, clear headed and able to cope with stress. However, no one is always 100% in control.

You will know your mood control center is functioning properly if your mood always returns to a somewhat normal state even when we experience extremes of happiness, sadness, fear and anxiety. This may not always be an immediate shift back but it’s something that happens eventually. If our mood control center is dysfunctional it’s much easier to slip into periods of depression or extreme anxiety which can have a negative impact on the quality of your life.

How Neurotransmitters Affect Mood Disorders

Neurotransmitters are chemicals created in the brain that are used to regulate control functions. If anything happens which stop these chemicals from being produced the various control centers in your brain may begin to malfunction. When this happens your mood can easily move outside of normal ranges into extremes which can be potentially dangerous.

When you have a chemical imbalance you will be able to notice that your thoughts run much faster than they normally would and that you have little ability to control your thoughts, mood or actions. You may find it difficult to concentrate and may suffer from anxiety or depression as a result. If something great happens your thoughts may run wild or if something bad happens, even if it’s small, it could ruin your whole day. It’s like losing the ability to put the brakes on your thoughts which allows them to control you with anxiety, fear or even ecstasy in some cases.

Diagnosing Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are typically diagnosed by psychiatrists and physicians based on the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition, also known as DSM-IV. This manual was created by the American Psychiatric Association and covers all mood disorders typically found in children and adults. It also contains information regarding causes and statistics related to demographics like gender and age.

A mental health professional uses this manual on mood disorders to diagnose a patient’s condition. This helps to determine the proper course of action and individual needs for each patient suffering from a mood disorder. This manual is considered the best of its kind and a sort of mental illness bible for professional diagnosis mood disorders.

Only a professional familiar with the DSM-IV will be able to provide you with a proper diagnosis based on your individual symptoms. If you believe you are suffering from a mood disorder you should consult with a psychiatrist or counselor as soon as possible to help determine treatment options before your condition becomes more severe or out of control.

Mood Disorder Questionnaire

A mood disorder questionnaire is a type of mood disorder test that helps to determine what kind of symptoms you may be feeling based on a series of questions. Using a questionnaire is a good way to perform a self diagnosis to determine if you are suffering from a mood disorder. You should be willing to answer questions as truthfully as possible to help determine what type of mood disorder you may be suffering from to help determine the very best course of action to treat it.

Mood Disorder Symptoms

All of the symptoms of the most common mood disorders stem from problems caused by the inability to control thoughts and feelings. Many times these feelings will start off mild and may begin as a feeling of general sadness, anxiety or even a feeling of inadequacy. These mild negative feelings are normal for most people although if you experience them for an extended period of time they can definitely have an overwhelmingly negative impact on your life and may be considered a mood disorder.

Most Common Mood Disorder Symptoms

Some people may experience these symptoms daily while others will only experience them occasionally or perhaps just once or twice. These symptoms can all range from mild to severe forms.

Body Aches – Mood disorders may cause you to feel real physical pain which is hard to ignore.
Changes in Appetite – This can include eating too much like in the case of emotional eating or not eating at all.
Problems Concentrating – Most mood disorders are caused by imbalances which tend to make it hard to control your thoughts or focus.
Problems Sleeping – Anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Many people may turn to sleep aids instead of treating the root cause of the condition.
Fatigue – This can be caused by a general inability to take any pleasure in life or may be a byproduct of having trouble sleeping at night or maybe be a combination of both.
Strong Negative Feelings – Your thoughts and emotions might include sadness, the feeling of hopelessness, helplessness or even inadequacy.
Guilt – Guilt can be a strong contributing factor to depression and anxiety. Clinging to negative past events can induce prolonged clinical depression and anxiety.
Aggression – Mood disorders make it difficult to control thoughts which can lead to anger running out of control in the form of aggression.
Irritability – When you can’t control your thoughts and remain calm the slightest thing may have the ability to set you off on a tirade.
Loss of Interest – This is one of the marquee symptoms of a depressive mood disorder. Losing interest in things and people you love is a sure sign of depression.
Relationship Issues – The inability to control your run-away thoughts can have a severely negative impact on your personal relationships with family and friends.
Weight Gain or Loss – This is typically caused by changes in appetite which can result in extreme weight gain or loss in a short period of time.

Symptoms of a Manic Episode

Mania is defined as an abnormally elevated mood (positive or negative) and hypomania is used to describe a more mild form of mania. These warning signs may indicate the beginning of a manic episode.

Abnormally High Energy – You may feel remarkably energetic or even powerful.
Sleeping Less – High energy levels may make it difficult to sleep which can lead to decreased levels of sleep.
Omnipotence – Feeling omnipotent isn’t out of the question when you’re experiencing a manic episode. This can be a very dangerous state of mind which can lead to impulsive behavior.
Poor Judgment – A mood disorder can make it difficult to concentrate enough to make a good judgment call.
Racing Thoughts – You may begin to talk faster or jump from subject to subject.

Treatment for Mood Disorders

There are many different treatments for mood disorders which include medications, therapy or in some cases a combination of both. Mood disorder treatment could also take the form of education, spirituality, recreational activities and new-age therapies like acupuncture, yoga, and massage.

Treatment for mood disorders may include one or more of the following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT for short, this type of therapy focuses on solving problems related to dysfunctional emotions, behaviors or cognitive thought patterns.
Medication – Medications such as mood stabilizers and anti-depressant may be prescribed to help patients better cope with the challenges associated with any mood disorder.
Education – Learning about how mood disorders can affect you can go a long way in helping you control your mood disorder.
Recreational Activities – Moderate exercise and other recreational activities can help to improve your mood and overcome the pain and suffering caused by a mood disorder.
Fitness & Nutrition – Mood disorders are generally caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which may be the direct result of dietary deficiencies, the lack of physical exercise, or both.
New Age Therapies – Therapies attributed with treating various mood disorders includes acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, qi gong, reiki, yoga, and zero balancing.

The best treatment for any mood disorder should follow a holistic approach to healing which incorporates relaxation, spirituality, health and wellness through diet and exercise and medications when needed.

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