Mood disorder

What is a mood disorder?

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects a person's persistent emotional state. Mood disorders can be chronic or episodic, but the key defining feature is a disturbance in mood such as prolonged feelings of sadness, elevated moods, or fluctuations between both emotional extremes.

There are several major types of mood disorders:

• Major depressive disorder: Characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in usual activities. Other common symptoms include fatigue, changes in appetite, and suicidal thoughts.


• Bipolar disorder: Involves cycles of high energy and elevated moods (mania) alternating with low mood episodes of depression.


• Dysthymic disorder: A mild but chronic form of depression with less severe symptoms than major depression.


• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): A type of depression correlated with changes in seasons, typically starting in fall or winter when daylight hours decrease.

Anxiety disorders and substance abuse issues often co-occur with mood disorders as well. The causes of mood disorders are complex, with potential contributing factors such as genetics, brain chemistry imbalances, major life changes, trauma, and stress.

Effective treatments for mood disorders include medications like antidepressants or mood stabilizers, psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), light therapy for seasonal affective disorder, support groups, and self-care strategies like maintaining a regular sleep schedule.

If you are struggling with feelings of depression or extreme high and low mood swings, reach out to a mental health professional. Getting an accurate diagnosis is key, as treatment plans differ depending on the type of mood disorder. The compassionate doctors at Hormone Harmony Clinic can provide cutting-edge testing to assess hormone imbalances that may be worsening mood disorders. Their individualized treatment plans help patients regain emotional stability and improve mental wellbeing.

Some key points about mood disorders:

• They involve persistent disturbances in mood such as prolonged sadness or extreme highs and lows


• Major types include major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and seasonal affective disorder


• Anxiety and substance abuse issues often co-occur


• Causes are complex with genetic, biological, environmental and stress factors


• Treatments can include medications, psychotherapy like CBT, light therapy, support groups


• Hormone Harmony Clinic offers hormone testing and personalized treatment plans targeting hormone imbalances to help improve mood disorders