A mood disorder is a mental health condition that primarily affects a person's persistent emotional state. Mood disorders can drastically impact daily functioning and quality of life. The two main categories are depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
The most common mood disorder is major depressive disorder (MDD), also called clinical depression. This involves feeling extremely sad, hopeless, worthless, etc for at least two weeks. Other symptoms are fatigue, insomnia, impaired concentration, and suicidal thoughts. Effective treatments for depression include therapy and antidepressants. Lifestyle changes like exercise can also help manage symptoms.
Other depressive disorders include:
Bipolar disorders involve extreme mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows. The two main types are bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I causes severe manic episodes while bipolar II causes less extreme hypomanic episodes.
Manic episodes may involve elevated self-esteem, increased activity levels, impulsiveness, and risky behavior. Depressive episodes involve typical depression symptoms. Mood stabilizing medication can help manage bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy also provides coping techniques.
If you think you may have a mood disorder, don't hesitate to get help from a mental health professional. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness also provide education and support resources. Consider contacting the knowledgeable doctors at Renew Hormone Clinic to explore whether hormonal imbalances could be contributing to your mood issues. With proper treatment, those with mood disorders can still live full, meaningful lives.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm always happy to talk more about mental health and point you toward helpful resources. Wishing you the very best.