Mood Disorders: Definitions, Symptoms, & List

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Mood disorders are categorized as serious mental health conditions that alter one’s emotional state, and thus also negatively impact one’s daily life functioning. Those of us who are diagnosed with a mood disorder by a health professional may often encounter moods on the extreme ends of the happiness-to-sadness spectrum or may even experience both extremes (Parker, 2014). 

There are two common classes of mood disorders. These are depression and bipolar disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition—most commonly referred to as the DSM-5, several subtypes of mood disorders exist below these two classes. In a few subsections below, you will find a longer list of diagnosable mood disorders.

While it is not uncommon for our moods to shift throughout the week, or even over the course of a day or situational context, mood disorders are usually diagnosed in folks who experience symptoms for several weeks at a time or more. But before we delve into the process of diagnosis of mood disorders, let’s learn a bit more about the causes and risk factors of these types of health conditions.

Mood disorders can have varying underlying causes. Research suggests that most mood disorders may be caused by an imbalance in our brain chemistry (sometimes referred to as our “happiness hormones”). However, not all mood disorders are caused by our neurological structure and functioning. Other risk factors may include having a previous diagnosis of a mood disorder, a family history of mood disorders that can be passed down genetically, or a major trauma or stress-inducing life event that can significantly change one’s emotional well-being (Rosenthal, 2010). 
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​Additional risk factors such as a comorbidity of an anxiety disorder or physical health condition (e.g., heart disease or cancer), may also further aggravate depressive mood disorders, in particular (Parker, 2014).

Now that we’ve learned about some of the causes of mood disorders, let’s take a look at some of the symptoms that mood disorders can present. While presenting symptoms of each individual mood disorder listed in the DSM-5 are slightly nuanced, we are going to use a slightly broader approach to encapsulate the signs of the two larger classes of mood disorders: depression and bipolar disorder. A gentle reminder that these lists of symptoms are non-exhaustive, and if you feel you may be at risk for a mood disorder, please refer to a health professional to discuss your well-being.

Some symptoms of depressive mood disorder can include the following:

• Excessive and ongoing sadness
• Feeling anxious, empty, or helpless
• Low self-esteem and a decreased send of self-worth
• Lethargy, sluggishness, or overall decrease in energy levels  
• Feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy
• Loss of interest in activities you normally would enjoy 
• Changes in appetite (e.g., eating too much or skipping meals)
• Changes in weight (e.g., gaining weight or losing weight unintentionally)
• Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., sleeping too much or too little)
• Having trouble concentrating or increased indecisiveness
• Increase in feelings of irritability or aggression
• Physical symptoms such as body aches, headaches, or fatigue 
• Frequency of thoughts about self-harm or death 

In accordance with the diagnostic criteria, patients would have to present at least five of the above symptoms for at least two weeks in order to be diagnosed with a depressive mood disorder (Rosenthal, 2010).

Mood Disorder: Bipolar
While depressive disorders include symptoms of prolonged sadness, bipolar disorder may include symptoms of depression and mania. Some symptoms of manic episodes of bipolar disorder can include the following: 

• An increase in self-esteem and self-worth
• Feelings of extreme happiness or elation 
• Reduced need for sleep (e.g., feeling rested after less sleep than normal)
• Being more talkative than usual or having rapid speech 
• Restlessness or increased movement (e.g., feeling jumpy)
• Racing thoughts 
• Being easily distracted 
• Participating in too many tasks at once 
• Making hasty decisions or participating in harmful risk-taking behaviors, such as reckless driving or spending too much money 

Folks who are affected by this condition may tend to have rotating periods of depression and mania. The length of the in-between episodes may often be dependent on the type of bipolar disorder (Parker, 2014).

• Major Depressive Disorder. Often referred to as major depression or clinical depression. This disorder often is preceded by a social or environmental life event that may cause extreme grief or sadness. Depressive symptoms are often required to be present for at least two weeks for a clinical diagnosis. 

• Bipolar 1 Disorder. The first classification of bipolar disorder is the most severe type: manic-depressive disorder. Both manic and depressive episodes can last one to two weeks and sometimes may cycle through episodes quickly enough to be present at the same time. 

• Bipolar 2 Disorder. While still a serious mood disorder, Bipolar 2 Disorder presents symptoms of depression and hypomania (rather than mania), which is a less intense form of mania. 

• Persistent Depressive Disorder. Often referred to as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder. While symptoms may not be as severe as major depression, this type of mood disorder can last for two years or longer. 

 

• Cyclothymia Disorder. This type of bipolar disorder is often seen as the mildest version, as patients with this condition experience less severe highs and lows than Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2 disorder, but present symptoms of chronically irregular mood swings. 

 

• Postpartum Depression. Symptoms of depressive moods that occur following the birth of a baby.

 

• Seasonal Affective Disorder. Often referred to by the acronym “SAD”. This form of depression is most commonly experienced during the wintertime when days are shorter and the sunlight is less available. It is caused by the change of seasons and can sometimes present itself during the summer as well.

 

• Substance-Induced Mood Disorder. This type of disorder can present depressive or manic symptoms and most often occurs during intoxication or abuse of a substance or during withdrawal from a substance.

 

• Psychotic Depression. A type of severe depressive disorder that is combined with a psychotic disorder or psychotic episodes. Symptoms of this mood disorder may often include delusions or hallucinations.

 

• Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. This type of mood disorder is a psychological response to major life stress and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. For example, if you are getting divorced, dealing with unemployment, or experiencing sudden changes in housing or food security, the stressor or situation causing emotional turmoil can result in this type of mood disorder.

 

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Often referred to by the acronym “PMDD”. This type of mood disorder often occurs roughly a week before one’s menstruation cycle and may be relieved once the menstrual period begins. Symptomology of PMDD may differ from person to person as researchers suggest that this mood disorder classification may be caused by hormonal changes. 

The following disorders are not classified as mood disorders. However, depression and depressive moods may play a significant role in these conditions. 

• Anxiety Disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia
• Panic Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia 
• Personality Disorders ​

Mood disorders may often rely on a mix of psychotherapy and medication. However, the best course of action for you ought to be advised by a health professional as treatments are not one-size-fits-all since symptoms present differently in different people.

While the combinations of treatment options for every disorder may look different, let’s view some of the more common treatments from a broader scope (Nemeroff & Owens, 2002). 

• Psychotherapy. Those of us who may be battling a mood disorder might find it particularly helpful to meet with a therapist for talk therapy or counseling sessions. Typically, some of the most common types of therapy for depression may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy. 

• Family Therapy. While mood disorders may only physically affect one person, spouses and family members may also choose to participate in therapy with the patient as these conditions could 1) impact the family dynamic as a whole; and 2) could allow family members to understand ways to support their loved one. 

• Antidepressants. For both depressive and bipolar disorders, some patients may benefit from taking antidepressants. The most commonly prescribed medication for mood disorders tends to be selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but you may know them as SSRIs. Typically SSRIs take a few weeks before a patient notices significant changes to their well-being. 

• Mood Stabilizers. In addition to antidepressants, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, in particular, may choose to take medication that stabilizes mood swings. Lithium is often prescribed as a type of mood stabilizer for Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 Disorder patients. 

• Light Therapy. This form of therapy is mostly prescribed for those of us who may struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Light therapy (e.g., red light therapy) is not typically supervised by a clinician and can be utilized by the individual on their own. ​

While we may think that children are just smaller versions of adults, mood disorders may actually present differently in younger people than the typical adult age demographic. 

Health professionals argue that mood disorders in children are often overlooked as bad behaviors, acting out, or just being teenagers, when in actuality, they may be struggling with an undiagnosed mood disorder. Some research suggests that children have lower levels of diagnosis because they may not know how to express their feelings and thoughts as well as adults (Emslie & Mayes, 2001). 

If you notice a young person in your life that may seem more than just “down in the dumps”, here are a few signs of how mood disorders can present in children.

• Reduced motivation in school or difficulty completing homework
• The appearance of intense feelings of prolonged sadness, anger, or irritability 
• Partaking in rebellious behaviors that may often be high-risk (e.g., ditching school, seeking out drugs, etc.)
• Threatening to run away from home 
• Severe outbursts or temper tantrums that are more intense than the child or teenager usually feels
• Complaints about or difficulty getting along with friends or classmates 
• Any expression of suicidal ideation 

The presence of any of these symptoms that seem outside of character for the child may best be evaluated by a pediatrician or other healthcare provider.

​Want to learn more about mood disorders? Check out these articles:

• Emotional Lability: Definition, Symptoms, & Causes
• Rumination: Definition, Examples, and How to Stop
• Emotional Dysregulation: Definition, Examples, And Tips
• Blunted Affect: Definition, Symptoms, & Examples
• Apathy: Definition, Symptoms, & Mood

Several of us may experience subtle changes in our moods even over the course of the day. For example, when I haven’t eaten in several hours, hangry is just a mild word for how my mood feels in the heat of the moment. But once I’ve eaten, the mild irritation does go away. And while these subtle changes may be normal, there are distinct differences in what is classified as a mood disorder. We hope this article provided you with the knowledge and insight to learn a bit more about the mood disorders that can severely impact one’s functioning, emotions, and overall quality of life—but more importantly, how symptoms present themselves and treatment options available that may help those of us who are struggling with any of these conditions. 

• ​American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Emslie, G. J., & Mayes, T. L. (2001). Mood disorders in children and adolescents: psychopharmacological treatment. Biological Psychiatry, 49(12), 1082-1090.
• Nemeroff, C. B., & Owens, M. J. (2002). Treatment of mood disorders. Nature neuroscience, 5(11), 1068-1070.
• Parker, G. F. (2014). DSM-5 and psychotic and mood disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 42(2), 182-190.
• Rosenthal, R. N. (Ed.). (2010). Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery: Treatment Improvement Protocol. DIANE Publishing.