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Published on: 8/18/2026

What are the five main mood disorders and their characteristics?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

The five main mood disorders are:

  1. Major depressive disorder – persistent sadness and loss of interest.
  2. Bipolar disorder – alternating episodes of depression and mania.
  3. Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder) – chronic, low-grade depression lasting two or more years.
  4. Cyclothymic disorder – milder mood swings between hypomania and mild depression.
  5. Mood disorder due to a general medical condition – mood changes caused by an underlying physical illness.

Each condition uniquely affects mood, energy, and behavior, and recognizing the differences is the first step toward getting the right support.

If you've noticed changes in your mood, energy, or motivation, don't wait to find out why. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify what you're experiencing, understand possible causes, and guide your next steps—whether that's self-care, lifestyle adjustments, or speaking with a healthcare professional. It's private, takes just a few minutes, and could be the clearest path to feeling like yourself again.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state. Here are the five main types:

  1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): This disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. People may also experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.

  2. Bipolar Disorder: This disorder includes episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. During manic phases, individuals may feel overly happy, energetic, or irritable, while depressive phases are similar to those in MDD.

  3. Dysthymic Disorder (Persistent Depressive Disorder): This chronic form of depression has less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder but lasts for a longer period, often for years.

  4. Cyclothymic Disorder: This disorder involves periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to qualify as major depression or bipolar disorder.

  5. Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition: This type of mood disorder is directly caused by a physical health issue, such as a chronic illness or neurological condition.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms and want to understand what might be causing them, try our free AI-powered symptom checker to get personalized insights in minutes.

(References)

  • Angst J, Ajdacic-Gross V, & Rössler W. (2015). Classification of mood disorders. Psychiatria polska, 26488343.

  • Fawcett J. (2010). An overview of mood disorders in the DSM-5. Current psychiatry reports, 20927611.

  • Serretti A, Mandelli L, Lattuada E, Cusin C, & Smeraldi E. (2002). Clinical and demographic features of mood disorder .... Psychiatry research, 12450629.

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