For me, “Mood Disorders” serves as an overarching structure. This broad category includes a continuum of diagnostic categories having to do with mood dysregulation.
I think of mood as a pervasive emotional state. There may be fluctuations but overall this emotional state is constant and chronic. One’s world view is colored by this state.
Examples of mood include anger, sadness, grief, depression, elation, irritability, euphoria, and anxiety.
There are various types of mood. A dysphoric mood is when the mood is unwanted and perceived as unpleasant. An elevated mood describes an exaggerated feeling of well being, euphoria or elation. Finally, one can have a euthymic mood. This is when there is a normal range of emotional states.
Most people divide mood disorders up into either the Bipolar Illnesses or the Depressive Disorders. Many people present with a depressed mood. It is critical to make the distinction: Does someone have depression in the more common, general sense? Or does someone have a depressed mood and an underlying Bipolar Illness?
I have experience in treating the varieties of mood disorder. If you have a question about depression or mood disorders, or would like to schedule an appointment, you may use my contact page.
