What are the different types of mood disorders?
Mood disorders include:
Depression
Depressive symptoms may include feeling sad or hopeless, as well as difficulties with thinking, memory, eating, and sleeping. A diagnosis of clinical depression requires symptoms to persist for at least two weeks.
There are several different types of depression, including:
Depression with psychosis
Severe depression combined with psychotic episodes is characterized by hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others don't) or delusions (having fixed but false beliefs). People who experience depression with psychosis have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Dysthymia is a mild but persistent form of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It exhibits the same symptoms as sadness or loss of interest in activities that the individual once enjoyed, changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem. It is a chronic type of depression, typically milder in severity but lasting for two years or more.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) often experience persistent and intense feelings of sadness or a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy. They may also notice changes in their sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem for a period of two weeks or more.
Postpartum depression (peripartum depression)
Postpartum depression is a type of depression that can occur in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) during pregnancy or after giving birth. The hormonal, physical, emotional, financial, and social changes that occur after having a baby can lead to symptoms of postpartum depression.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during specific seasons of the year. It usually starts in late autumn or early winter and lasts until spring or summer. In some cases, SAD episodes might begin in late spring or summer. The symptoms of winter SAD are similar to those of major depression, but they typically improve or diminish during the spring and summer months.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder and mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behavior. There are several types of bipolar disorder, which involve experiencing significant fluctuations in mood, known as hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder, including:
Bipolar I disorder
People with bipolar I disorder have experienced one or more episodes of mania. Most people with bipolar I will have episodes of both mania and depression. An episode of depression isn’t necessary for a diagnosis.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder causes cycles of depression similar to those of bipolar I. Individuals with this condition also experience hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Hypomanic periods aren’t as intense or disruptive as manic episodes, and those with bipolar II disorder are usually able to handle daily responsibilities.
Cyclothymia disorder (cyclothymia)
People diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder have a consistently unstable mood, experiencing periods of hypomania and mild depression for at least two years.
Other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders
Symptoms of this type of bipolar disorder do not meet the criteria for one of the other types, but individuals still experience significant, abnormal mood changes.
Other mood disorders
Other mood disorders include:
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
This mood disorder typically occurs seven to 10 days before menstruation and resolves within a few days after the start of the menstrual period. It is considered a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Researchers believe hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle are responsible for this condition. Symptoms may include anger, irritability, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) impacts children and adolescents. It is characterized by frequent anger outbursts and irritability disproportionate to the situation. DMDD is more severe than Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), and the anger is present most of the time, typically starting before the age of 10.
