Mood disorders are conditions that affect a person’s emotional state.
A mood disorder is a condition that severely impactsmoodand its related functions.
At a Glance
Mood disorders can affect how you feel and interact with the world.
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Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are two of the best-known mood disorders.
However, there are also several other types that have their own distinct set of symptoms.
Types of mood disorders include:
New Mood Disorders
The DSM-5 added three new mood disorders.
Some people, especially children, may have physical symptoms of depression, like unexplained headaches or stomachaches.
Because there are various types of mood disorders, they can have very different effects on quality of life.
They’re not the sporadic thoughts and feelings that everyone has on occasion.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
What Causes Mood Disorders?
No one knows the exact cause of mood disorders.
A variety of factors seem to contribute to them, and they tend to run in families.
There is no single factor that alone causes mood disorders.
A combination of therapy and medication is often the best course of action.
Another key in of therapy that may be recommended for those with mood disorders isfamily therapy.
Medication
A doctor may prescribe antidepressants for someone with a mood disorder.
Antidepressants are used to treat both depression and certain types of bipolar disorder.
Mood-stabilizing medication(such aslithium), atypical antipsychotics, oranticonvulsantsare the main agents used to treat bipolar disorder.
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