What is a mood disorder? When are mood swings a disorder? Discover the different types of mood disorders and their main symptoms.
We can all experience bad days. In fact, life is often a roller coaster of emotions and feelings. But people who suffer from mood disorder They tend to be so affected by their emotions that they end up seeing their daily activities and relationships with others harmed. But why do these affective disorders happen?
What is a mood disorder?
The mood disorders , also known as affective disorders, are mainly characterized by a change in the mood of people who suffer from it. In fact, this affectation of the mood ends up affecting both the personal and professional lives of those who suffer from them.
The term mood disorder It encompasses different types of disorders, whose main impact involves changes in the mood of the people who suffer from them. The affective disorder that currently affects the most is depression.
Types of mood disorders
With the update of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), the mood disorders They are classified into the following:
- Major depressive disorder: Better known as major depression or clinical depression. This mood disorder It involves periods where the person experiences an extreme feeling of sadness, hopelessness and emptiness. In many cases, depression not only influences the mood of those who suffer from it but also includes a wide variety of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms that end up preventing the person’s normal daily development.
- Bipolar I disorder: Previously this disorder was called ‘manic depression’. People with bipolar I disorder often experience episodes called mania followed by depressive episodes. Mania is characterized by euphoric or irritable moods that involve an increase in energy or activity. During these manic episodes, people who suffer from these mood changes mood They may participate in activities that may have many painful consequences for themselves and others.
- Bipolar II disorder: A person diagnosed with this affective disorder suffers from episodes called hypomania, a less severe condition of mania, as well as episodes of major depression.
- Cyclothymic disorder: It’s about a mood disorder which causes oscillations between a phase of hypomania and a phase of depression. During hypomania people tend to become more productive and creative but also disorganized and ineffective.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder : It’s about a affective disorder that affects minors under 18 years of age. Mainly, those who suffer from it usually show behavior with irritability and persistent anger. They may also have frequent episodes of extreme aggressive outbursts despite having no reason for them.
- Persistent depressive disorder: People with these changes in mood They experience a chronic depressive disorder, that is, they feel apathy, sadness and emptiness that lasts more than two years, previously known as dysthymia.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: This mood disorder affects women. It is based on feeling changes in mood, as well as irritability, excess sadness, anxiety and tension during the period prior to menstruation. Typically, these symptoms disappear after they begin.
Symptoms of affective disorders
The disorders that affect the emotional state They can cause many difficulties in the lives of those who suffer from it. In fact, many people with affective disorders may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach and digestion discomfort. In addition, mood disorders usually include the following symptoms:
- Loss of interest: People who suffer from any condition in the mood They usually end up losing interest in those activities that they previously enjoyed and did with good taste.
- Eat more or less: The mood disorders They usually affect the appetite of those who suffer from it.
- Sleep disorders: These changes in mood As well as the other effects of a mood disorder, it can affect the quality of sleep, causing difficulties in falling asleep or excessive sleeping.
- Fatigue: Another sign that may indicate that we are facing a affective disorder It is extreme tiredness due to changes in moods.
- Sadness and guilt: People who suffer from these emotional ups and downs or persistent discouragement often blame themselves for it, and sadness and crying are often present in many of their days.
- Difficult to focus: All the apathy and sadness prevents people with a mood disorder they can concentrate. This ends up making them unable to complete many tasks, something that further contributes to the feelings of guilt and worthlessness typical of a pathological emotional state.
- Problems making decisions: People with a emotional affective disorder They usually experience many difficulties when making decisions, whether they are important or not for their life.
- Thoughts of death and/or suicide: One of the most alarming signs that people affected by mood disorders can suffer are thoughts about suicide and death.
People with a emotional disorder They should go to a professional psychologist to treat them. In many cases, these disorders can cause danger to the people who suffer from them.
Treatment of affective disorders
There are many people affected by mood disorders However, if they receive treatment from a psychology professional, they can improve their quality of life. Mainly, the treatment for an affective disorder It includes both psychotherapy as well as medications that help regulate the chemical imbalances that occur in the face of these pathologies in the brain.