Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary
- Mood disorders disrupt your emotions, leading to extreme lows or highs that can interfere with daily life. They are generally classified into two main types: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
- Depressive disorders like major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and seasonal affective disorder share similar symptoms. What distinguishes them is the timing, duration, or underlying cause of these feelings.
- Bipolar disorders, such as bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia, cause extreme mood swings that disrupt mood, sleep, energy, and behavior, often leading to irregular actions.
- Effective treatment for mood disorders often involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Medications help stabilize mood swings or alleviate depressive symptoms, while therapy provides strategies to manage and cope with the condition.
Mood Disorders are common—but help is available
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect how we feel—causing intense lows, known as depression, or highs, called mania. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, impacting daily life.
These conditions can stem from various causes, including these influences:
- Biological factors like serotonin and dopamine levels
- Medical conditions
- Genetics
- Psychological and social factors such as stress and trauma.
Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. adults will experience a mood disorder during their lifetime.
Fortunately, treatment for mood disorders is possible. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of mood disorders, their symptoms, and what treatment options exist. This can help you make informed decisions about your mental health and seek expert guidance from a healthcare professional.
Types of mood disorders & their symptoms
Mood disorders are broadly grouped into two categories: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. Here’s some more information to help you learn the differences between them:
Depressive disorders
Each of the depressive disorders shares common symptoms—particularly persistent sadness or ‘empty’ feelings which cause distress and significantly affect daily life.
What differs among them is the timing, duration, or the cause. Everyone can experience variations of the symptoms, with some having many symptoms, and others just a few.
Symptoms of depressive disorders
- Persistent sad or “empty” mood most of the day
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Decreased energy and feeling tired
- Sleeping difficulty
- Changes in appetite—either an increase or decrease, normally leading to changes in weight
- Physical movements slowing down or being restless
- Suicidal thoughts
Types of depressive disorders
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Previously known as clinical depression, an estimated 21 million U.S. adults have experienced this type of depression. It’s more common in women and tends to affect younger adults, especially those aged 18-25.
To be diagnosed with MDD, your depressive episodes must be at least 2 weeks in length and you must have five of the above symptoms, with one being either low mood or loss of interest causing stress or isolation.
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
This type of depression has milder symptoms but is longer lasting than other depressive disorders. Diagnosis requires adults to have a low mood and other depressive symptoms for at least 2 years. An estimated 2.5% of U.S. adults will experience this type of depression at some time in their lifetime.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
When the days become shorter in fall and winter and there is less sunlight, you may develop SAD. Approximately 5% of U.S. adults experience seasonal depression. Symptoms are the same as those of other depressive disorders, but can also include oversleeping, overeating (particularly carbohydrates), and social withdrawal.
Depression related to medical illness
Depression and chronic diseases are like a two-way street. Depression can play a part in chronic illness, and having a chronic illness can lead to depression.
Depression can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease by causing inflammation, altering stress hormones, and making people neglect their health. Chronic illness can lead to depression due to stress, medication side effects, or brain changes like in Parkinson’s disease.
Depression induced by substance use or addiction
Depressive disorders and substance use are often linked. Depressive symptoms can be triggered by drug or alcohol abuse, and they may show up during use, intoxication, or withdrawal. Ongoing substance use can change how your brain works, making it even harder to break the cycle.
Many people with substance use disorders also face mental health challenges, and vice versa—this is called a dual diagnosis. Treating them separately often doesn’t work, so it’s important to address both issues together.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, causes extreme mood swings and related symptoms. If you have bipolar disorder, you may experience intense highs (manic episodes), lows (depressive episodes), or less severe highs (hypomanic episodes).
These shifts can impact your mood, sleep, energy, and behavior, often leading to actions that are out of character for you. Sometimes, manic and depressive symptoms occur together in the same episode, known as a mixed features episode.
Symptoms of a manic episode
- Feeling elated or extremely happy
- Feeling extremely irritable
- Decreased need for sleep
- Feeling restless, jumpy, or wired
- Increased speech
- Racing thoughts
- Having an excessive appetite for pleasurable activities
- Increased risky or impulsive behavior
Symptoms of a depressive episode
- Feeling very down, sad, or anxious
- Sleeping problems
- Slowed speech and movement
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Lacking interest in most activities
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Suicidal thoughts
Types of bipolar disorders
Bipolar I
If you have bipolar I, you will have episodes of mania that last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least seven days. You might also experience depressive episodes lasting 2 weeks or more, or mixed episodes with both manic and depressive symptoms.
Bipolar II
In bipolar II, your depression lasts at least 2 weeks and will occur with episodes of hypomania that last multiple days. This hypomania is less intense than full mania.
Cyclothymia
A milder form of bipolar disorder. If you experience cyclothymia, you will have recurring periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms. These symptoms must occur over at least two years, with mood swings present for at least half the time and never stopping for more than two months.
Although less intense and shorter in duration than full episodes, cyclothymia still impacts your daily life.
Diagnosing & assessing mood disorders
Getting the right mood disorder diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. If you’re worried about having a mood disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll work with you to understand your symptoms, including these:
- How long they’ve been present
- How often they occur
- How long they last
- How they’re affecting your daily life.
With so many factors to consider, a detailed look at your symptoms is important for helping your healthcare provider understand your needs better. This way, they can develop a tailored treatment plan for you.
Treatment approaches
The initial treatment for both depressive and bipolar disorders typically includes medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Combining medications with psychotherapy has been found to be more effective than using either treatment alone.
Depressive disorders
For treating depressive disorders, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions.
Results for medication depend on the type and amount you are taking, as well as individual health factors. Some people notice effects by the end of the first week, while others might take up to 6 weeks to feel the benefits. It’s important that you stay in close contact with your healthcare provider to adjust the treatment as needed.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is another key part of treatment. It provides you with a space to explore and address any underlying issues that are contributing to your depression. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help you identify and change negative thought patterns, which can effectively reduce depression symptoms.
See also: Understanding your options for depression medication
Bipolar disorders
Medication is essential for managing bipolar disorder. You will likely be prescribed either a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic. Antidepressants can be used for depressive episodes, but your doctor will combine them with a mood stabilizer to prevent triggering a manic episode. You may also be prescribed medications to help with any sleep or anxiety issues you may be experiencing.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial, offering support and helping you cope with mood swings. Techniques such as mood journaling can help you track your moods and symptoms. Although bipolar disorder is a long-term condition with recurring episodes, consistent long-term treatment will help to stabilize your symptoms.
Get your mental health back on track with Lemonaid Health
Mood disorders significantly affect both mental and physical health. If you or someone you know may be showing depressive or bipolar symptoms, reach out to a healthcare provider for help as soon as possible. Working with a qualified medical professional is the best way to find a treatment plan that is safe and effective for you.
Our team at Lemonaid Health can help. Set up a virtual visit with a qualified US-based health professional who can help you understand your symptoms and find appropriate solutions—including FDA-approved medication in clinically indicated cases.
