Mood Disorders

Mood disorders refer to a category of mental health disorders that include all types of depression and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are sometimes called affective disorders.

Mental health professionals recognize symptoms of mood disorders in children and adolescents, as well as adults. However, children and adolescents do not necessarily experience or exhibit the same symptoms as adults. It is more difficult to diagnose mood disorders in children, especially because children are not always able to express how they feel. At any age, mood disorders put individuals at risk for other conditions at any age these symptoms may persist long after the initial episodes of depression are resolved.

What causes mood disorders is not well known. There are chemicals in the brain that are responsible for positive moods. Most likely, depression and other mood disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Life events may also contribute to a depressed mood.

Affective disorders sometimes run in families and are considered to be inherited. The factors that produce the trait or condition are usually both genetic and environmental, involving a combination of genes from both parents.

Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. However, mood disorders are more intense and difficult to manage than normal feelings of sadness. Children, adolescents, or adults who have a parent with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder. Life events and stress can trigger feelings of sadness or depression, making the feelings more difficult. These life events and stress can bring on feelings of sadness or depression or make a mood disorder harder.

When a person in the family has this diagnosis, the chance for their siblings or children to have the same diagnosis is increased. In addition, relatives of persons with manic depression are also at increased risk for depression.

The most common types of mood disorders are: major depression a depressed or irritable mood or a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities, along with other signs of a mood disorder; dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)  a chronic, low-grade, depressed or irritable mood; manic depression (bipolar disorder) episodes of  depressed or irritable mood and a mania (persistently elevated) mood; mood disorder due to a general medical condition - many medical illnesses including cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic medical illnesses can trigger symptoms of depression; substance induced mood disorder  symptoms of depression that are due to the effects of medication, drug abuse, exposure to toxin.

Depending upon age and the type of mood disorder present, a person may exhibit different symptoms of depression. The most common symptoms of a mood disorder are: persistent feelings of sadness; feeling hopeless or helpless; low self-esteem; feeling inadequate; excessive guilt; feelings of wanting to die; loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed; difficulty with relationships; sleep disturbances, insomnia, hypersomnia; changes in appetite or weight; decreased energy; difficulty concentrating; inability to make decisions; irritability, hostility, aggression

In mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than what a person may normally feel from time to time; if these feelings continue over a period of time. Any person who expresses thoughts of suicide it is important to act immediately.

Mood disorders can often be effectively treated. Treatment may include: antidepressant medications combined with psychotherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of depression. Cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy that is focused on changing the individual's distorted views of themselves and the environment around them, working through difficult relationships, and identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them.

Preventive measures to reduce the incidence of mood disorders are not known at this time. Early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for persons with mood disorders.