Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are among the most common mental disorders in the Western world. Formerly called affective disorders, these disorders involve a predominant disturbance in mood. In each case, the mood disturbance leads to other problems, which frequently include physical symptoms (such as fatigue), behavioral symptoms (such as social withdrawal), and cognitive symptoms (such as self-critical thoughts). The various mood disorders differ based on the type and duration of symptoms. Severe mood disorders develop from a combination of biological, stressful experiences and personality types or interpersonal factors. Treatment options usually include a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

The various mood disorders can be distinguished based on the nature of the mood disturbance, the severity of symptoms, and their duration. The depressive disorders (sometimes known as unipolar disorders) ...