What are mood disorders?
Mood disorders generally fall into two categories:
- Unipolar (meaning “one extreme”), commonly known as Depression.
- Bipolar (meaning “two extremes”), commonly known as Bipolar Disorder, for which there are two types.
- Bipolar I Disorder is the more severe form wherein the patient has experienced a manic episode.
- Bipolar II Disorder is the less severe form characterized more frequently by deep depressions and periods of milder, more subtle mania (known as “hypomania”).
What are signs of depression?
- Low mood or irritability most days
- Loss of interest in things that used to matter
- Low energy, even with rest
- Trouble focusing or making decisions
- Pulling away from people or responsibilities
- Negative or hopeless thoughts
In order to constitute a major depressive episode, several of these symptoms must be present much of the time for at least 2 weeks and must significantly impact a person’s day-to-day life.
What are signs of mania/hypomania?
- unusually “high” (elevated) or irritable mood
- long stretches without sleep or a decreased need for sleep in general
- racing thoughts and fast talking
- grandiose ideas
- uncharacteristically impulsive or risky behavior
- increased activity and energy for projects, sometimes without the ability to stop or settle
Keep in mind that, in order to constitute a manic or hypomanic mood episode, several of these symptoms must be present at the same time during a discrete time period (at least about 4 days). Bipolar disorder does not refer to mood fluctuations (“moodiness”) within a day.
What if I suspect I have bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, especially in its milder form, can be difficult to spot and is commonly misdiagnosed as depression, ADHD, or borderline personality disorder. If you or your doctor wonder whether you might have bipolar disorder, our team of testing psychologists can help investigate. Specialized clinical interviews and objective tests can tease apart overlapping symptoms and clarify your diagnostic picture.
Learn more: What’s the point of psychological testing?
How are mood disorders treated?
- For depression, research generally supports a combination of psychotherapy and medications for best results.
- Several types of therapy are effective for depression. Most will focus on behavioral activation (increasing meaningful activity and interaction) and addressing negative beliefs about oneself and one’s life.
- The same is true for bipolar disorder; however, in bipolar disorder, medications are often even more central for a patient to achieve stability.
- Therapy for bipolar disorder generally focuses on establishing healthy rhythms (for sleep, eating, substance use, etc.), preventing relapse, and learning skills to handle intense emotions.
