What Disorders Are Classified As Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders are one type of mental disease condition. There are several mental disorders classified as mood disorders.
Major Depressive Disorder. Major depressive disorder or depression is a serious mood disorder and one of the most common mental diseases. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2016, 6.7% (16.2 million) adults in United States had at least one major depressive episode in their life and majority of them were females (8.5%) compared to males (4.8%). The prevalence was high in the age group 18-25 years. A depressed person will experience low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, sleeping problems or oversleeping, loss of appetite or increased appetite, weight loss or weight gain, slowing down of though and physical movements, worthlessness, hopelessness, fatigue and loss of energy; inability to concentrate and do the work properly and suicidal ideations.
Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder is also another type of mood disorder where the mood, energy level, and how they carry out their daily task’s changes from time to time. Someone with bipolar disorder can have a manic episode where they are extremely elated and energized. Sometimes they can be in a depressive episode where they feel sad, hopeless, loss of interest in pleasurable activities and low energy. There is also an intermediate state known as hypomanic episode where they are a bit less than the manic episode. Sometimes they can have both manic episode and a depressive episode at the same time which is known as an episode with mixed features. During the mixed episode they might feel very sad and hopeless and at the same time be very energizing.
Cyclothymic Disorder. In cyclothymic disorder there are periods with hypomanic symptoms and periods with depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years in adults and in children and adolescent at least for one year. The symptoms cannot be categorized as hypomanic episode or a depressive episode as symptoms does not meet the diagnostic criteria required.
Persistent Depressive Disorder. Persistent depressive disorder is a severe and serious mood disorder. Clinically the person experience a less severe, but a chronic form of depression. It is diagnosed if there is a depressed mood most of the time for at least 2 years. In children and adolescent, it can be an irritable behavior rather than a depressive mood. In addition, two of the following should be present problem falling asleep or excessive sleep, low energy, low self-esteem, overeating or poor appetite, lack of concentration and feeling of hopelessness. Thoughts of death and suicide are most of the time absent.
Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is also a form of depression associated with fewer hours of daylight, usually seen in far northern and southern latitudes from the time period of late fall to early spring.
Premenstrual Dystrophic Disorder. Before menses some women might experience mood changes and irritability and this usually goes away with the initiation of the menstrual period.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. It is a chronic, severe disorder seen in children where they are irritable and have frequent temper outbursts that are not consistent with the child’s developmental age.
Depression Related To Medical Illness. Depression which is due to another medical condition. Depression can be a symptom of that disease.
Depression Induced By Substance Use Or Medication. The depression symptoms develop during or soon after the use of a substance or withdrawal or after the initiation of a new medicine.
Conclusion
Mood disorders are one type of mental disease condition. There are several mental disorders classified as mood disorders. major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, persistent depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual dystrophic disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, depression related to medical illness, depression induced by substance use or medication.
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