DEFINITION

• Mood disorders are illnesses that have profound effect on the patient’s emotional state. Generally, mood disorders can cause elevated mood (such as manic states) or low mood (such as depressive states).
• Mood disorders are often comorbid with other illnesses (OCD, anxiety, substance-use disorder).
• An estimated 9.7% of U.S. adults had any mood disorder in the past year.[1]
• In general, when taking a detailed mood history, the temporality of symptoms can be extremely helpful in determining an accurate diagnosis. (e.g. How long do symptoms last? Are they episodic or persistent in nature? Is there a particular time of year that symptoms tend to come up?)

More information on specific mood disorders can be found within each topic:

• Depression
• Mania
• Suicidality
• Bipolar I Disorder
• Bipolar II Disorder
• Cyclothymic Disorder
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Postpartum Depression
• Adjustment Disorder