Mood disorders

A mood disorder, also referred to as an affective disorder, is a condition that severely impacts your mood and its related functions. Mood disorder is a broad term that's used to include all the different types of depression and bipolar disorder, both of which affect your mood. If you have symptoms of a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low (depressed) to extremely high or irritable (manic). Types of Mood Disorders:- Major depressive disorder: This is what we often hear referred to as major depression or clinical depression. It involves long periods of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and/or fatigue that last for two weeks or more. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): This type of depression typically strikes during the short days of the year when the sun isn't out as long. Bipolar I disorder: Also referred to in the past as "manic depression," if you have mania, you experience euphoric and/or irritable moods and increased energy or activity. During manic episodes, you also regularly engage yourself in activities that can very result in painful consequences for you and/or someone else. Bipolar II disorder: For diagnosis, you must have had at least one episode of current or past hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania, and at least one episode of current or past major depression, but no history of any manic episodes. The criteria for episodes of mania, hypomania, and major depression remain the same. Cyclothymic disorders: Diagnosis requires a two-year history minimum of many episodes of not-quite hypomania and not-quite major depression. It's a less extreme form of bipolar disorder.