Published on: 7/9/2025
What is the official definition of mood disorders?
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that mainly affect a person's emotional state, causing extreme feelings like sadness or happiness.
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Explanation
Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state. People with mood disorders might experience prolonged periods of extreme sadness, known as depression, or excessive euphoria or irritability known as mania. These conditions can significantly impact daily life, making it hard to function normally.
Types of Mood Disorders
- Depressive Disorders: These include major depressive disorder, where individuals feel very sad or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
- Bipolar Disorders: This involves mood swings that range from high (mania) to low (depression).
- Other Mood Disorders: These include disorders like cyclothymic disorder, which involves less severe mood swings.
Impact on Life
Mood disorders can affect relationships, work, and overall quality of life. It's important for individuals experiencing symptoms to seek help. For more support and resources, visit 988lifeline.org.
(References)
- Angst J, Ajdacic-Gross V, & Rössler W. (2015). Classification of mood disorders. Psychiatria polska, 26488343.
- Rakofsky J, & Rapaport M. (2018). Mood Disorders. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 29851879.
- Datta S, Suryadevara U, & Cheong J. (2021). Mood Disorders. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 34881733.
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