Mood Disorders

Mood disorder is an umbrella term that covers a litany of mental health conditions. These disorders reduce your ability to participate fully in your life.

When Is Moodiness a Problem?

It’s normal to experience occasional mood fluctuations. But if your moods seem overly erratic and are often inconsistent with what’s going on in your life, you may have a mood disorder. When your thoughts and feelings are severe and difficult to manage, it impacts your ability to deal with day-to-day activities.

Abnormal mood fluctuations may be accompanied by physical ailments or other mental health disorders. Online Psychiatrists offers professional psychiatric services to adults aged 19 to 65 in New York, New Jersey and Florida. They provide an accurate diagnosis and a complete treatment of mood disorders and other mental health problems.

What Types of Mood Disorders Are There?

Many different mental health problems fall under the umbrella of mood disorders. While their causes aren’t well understood, most researchers agree that your genetics, imbalances in your brain chemistry and environmental factors contribute to their development. Stressful life events and substance abuse are also associated with an increase in the risk of developing mood disorders.

Some of the most common examples of mood disorders include:

Chronic depressive disorder.Characterized by periods of extreme sadness, this disorder is a steady and long-lasting condition.
Persistent depressive disorder. Also known as dysthymia, this condition is another type of chronic depression that continues for at least two years.
Bipolar disorder. Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is characterized by wild mood swings. Periods of low energy depression alternate with periods of high energy euphoria, known as mania.
Seasonal affective disorder. Also called SAD, this type of depression is triggered by the lack of sunlight during the winter months.
Postpartum depression. Much more intense than so-called baby blues, this depression causes a sense of profound emptiness or sadness after childbirth. Men experience this condition as well, and their version is called male postpartum depression.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This condition is similar to premenstrual syndrome, but the symptoms are more severe. Episodes involve intense irritability, depression and mood changes during the premenstrual phase.
Psychotic depression. Depression that’s aggravated by hallucinations or delusions is called psychotic depression.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This mood-altering condition derives its name from the tendency of the patient to get trapped in a bitter cycle of obsessions and compulsions that lead to intense feelings of distress and uncontrollable urges.
Generalized anxiety disorder. When you have GAD, you’re consumed with worry and unnecessary fear about everything from money and health to work and family. This general anxiety dominates your thinking and affects your mood.

What are the Symptoms of Mood Disorders

Your symptoms vary according to the type of mood disorder you have. Still, the symptoms of the most common mood disorders include:

Ongoing sadness or hopelessness
Irritability, agitation or restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in appetite
Insomnia or conversely, sleeping too much
Racing thoughts or slowed thinking
Reckless behavior
Explosive rage
Frequent thoughts of suicide

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A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have or think you might have a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone.