Depression & Mood Disorders

What are the 5 most common mood disorders?

A mood disorder is a broad diagnosis that mental health professionals use to broadly describe all types of depression and bipolar disorders. Anyone (children, teens and adults) can have mood disorders, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. 

The most common types of mood disorders are:

• Major depression – Showing less interest in usual activities, feeling upset or hopeless and other symptoms lasting for at least 2 weeks

• Dysthymia – Chronic, low-grade depression or very irritable moods that can last for up to 2 years

• Bipolar disorder – Alternating periods of depression and mania or elevated moods

• Mood disorder related to another condition – Illnesses such as cancer, infections, chronic illnesses and serious injuries can trigger symptoms of depression

• Substance-induced mood disorder – Symptoms of depression due to the effects from medicine, drug abuse, alcoholism, exposure to toxins or other chemicals

What is the difference between a mood disorder and depression?

When you have a mood disorder, your emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with the circumstances and interferes with your ability to function. You may become extremely sad, empty inside or irritable, and may show periods of depression alternating with periods of happiness (mania).

A few examples of mood disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder
  • Prolonged periods of extreme sadness

• Bipolar disorder
  • Manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, including alternating times of depression and mania

• Seasonal affective disorder
  • Form of depression found in far northern or southern latitudes associated with fewer daylight hours (late fall to early spring)

• Cyclothymic disorder
  • Disorder that can cause emotional ups and downs that are less extreme than bipolar disorder

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  • Mood changes and irritability which occurs around the premenstrual phase of a women’s cycle and ends at the onset of menses

• Persistent depressive disorder
  • Long-term form of depression

• Depression related to medical illness
  • Persistent depressed mood and significant loss of pleasure in daily activities that is directly related to a medical condition

• Depression induced by substance use or medication
  • Depressive symptoms that develop during or soon after substance use like drugs or alcohol or withdrawal or after exposure to a medication

What are the 4 types of depression?

While there are more than 4 main types of depression, these 4 are some of the most major types we see, they include:

• Situational Depression
  • This is completely normal to feel, as sadness for extended periods of time can be brought on by a multitude of negative events and isolating situations. However, this type usually goes away after a few weeks.

• Biological Depression
  • A persons depressive symptoms start with the imbalance of any of the neurotransmitters or hormones that can affect our mood and physiology.

• Psychological Depression
  • This is linked to psychological factors like losing perspective, unrealistic expectations and negative self-talk.

• Existential Depression
  • This is triggered usually by a positive event

Usually, individuals do not simply suffer from one of the depression types listed above, but a combination of them. However, our trained psychiatrist at Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches can help to diagnose and treat your depression.

When should you see a doctor about mood swings?

Mood swings can be brought on by a few different causes including:

• Acute stress
• Adolescence and hormonal changes
• Disappointment
• Frustration
• Grief
• Hunger
• Low blood sugar
• Menopause
• Menstrual cycle

Need help with your Depression or Mood Disorder?

Mood swings should be evaluated by a medical professional or a mental health provider when they involve violence, or start to interfere with a person’s ability to perform the daily tasks and living requirements and make it impossible to concentrate on a task or enjoyment of life.

If you think you or someone you love may have depression or mood disorders, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are available to go over the testing methods we offer and when a diagnosis is found, we can also offer treatment options specialized for you. We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, West Palm Beach FL, Riviera Beach FL, Century Village FL, Lake Park FL, and North Palm Beach FL.