June 16th, 2025
Let’s pretend that you’ve noticed your friend’s mood shifting for weeks—one moment they’re overwhelmed with sadness or frustration, the next they seem unusually energetic or irritable. You then notice they have been struggling to sleep, focus, eat, or make decisions. They’ve even mentioned experiencing frequent headaches or constant fatigue.
All of these symptoms can be signs that your friend might be experiencing symptoms of a mood disorder. The good news? With the right therapy and a strong support system, mood disorders are highly treatable—and your support can make a meaningful difference.
Keep reading to learn what mood disorders are, their symptoms, treatment, and more!
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state, often causing prolonged periods of intense sadness, elevated mood, or mood swings ( depression, bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder). Hopkins Medicine describes mood disorders as “a type of mental health condition where there is a disconnect between actual life circumstances and the person's state of mind or feeling”.
Mood disorders can impact teens, children, and adults. Yet, mood disorder symptoms can look different for each age group. In particular, children with mood disorders can require a professional eye to actually diagnose, due to their inability to verbalize the emotions or changes they are experiencing.
Mood disorders can make someone unable to function as they were once able to. This is due to the intense emotional periods someone suffering from mood disorders can experience. They may no longer have interest in things or experiences that once brought them joy. Many people find themselves unable to attend work, have fun with their friends, or show up to family gatherings.
You might be wondering: how can I tell the difference between a typical mood swing and a mood disorder? Most people experience mood shifts from time to time—but mood disorders go beyond everyday ups and downs. A common mood shift that someone might mistake as a mood disorder like depression is sadness. Below are some key differences between feeling sad and experiencing a mood disorder like clinical depression:
Sadness
Clinical Depression
Sadness can be a component of depression, but sadness usually is brief. Depression impacts relationships, performance at work or school, and overall ability to function normally.
Take our Free Depression Test (PHQ-9) to see if your symptoms could be signs of possible depression.
There are four general categories of mood disorders: depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Let’s take a look at some of what each of these categories entails below.
What is mania? Mania is a period of elevated, or intense changes in mood, emotions, energy and activity. This must be notably different from your usual behavior and observed by others close to you. Must be notable for at least one week.
What is hypomania? Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, for a shorter period of time but most be for at least four consecutive days. This does not significantly impact functioning (school or work).
This category is most commonly referred to as PMDD. PMDD occurs around 7 to 10 days before menstruation, and lessens in severity when menstruation begins. Symptoms that are common for many are anger, irritability, anxiety, depression, problems with concentration, and inability to sleep.
Otherwise known as DMDD, this disorder is diagnosed exclusively for children. The symptoms for this disorder include angry outbursts and frustration that are not in proportion to the situation or event.
The symptoms must begin before the age of 10, and is not diagnosed for those before the age of six and after the age of 18. Some research points to around 2%-5% of children in the U.S. being impacted by DMDD, but this disorder is relatively new and not much is confirmed.
The cause of these mood disorders is largely unknown. Researchers have not been able to pinpoint one single cause for these disorders. Some potential causes include an imbalance of chemicals in a patient’s brain. This imbalance can be due to an illness, substances, medications, or other genetic factors. Many researchers also include intense life events and trauma as contributors to mood disorders.
There are many early warning signs that one can look out for when seeking help for a mood disorder. More often than not, these symptoms do not appear out of the blue. They can be present with growing intensity for weeks.
10 Red Flags for Mood Disorders:
In order to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, a good first step can be to talk to your psychiatrist, therapists, or psychiatric provider. They may ask you about a history of mental illness in your family, duration of symptoms or past occurrences, drug and alcohol use, and a physical exam to rule out any other illness possibly contributing to this condition. These clinicians may also ask you to fill out a questionnaire to get a better understanding of your symptoms.
These questionnaires include
Psychotherapy can be specifically effective when it comes to treating mood disorders. Having the space to talk about your condition and symptoms with a mental health professional can increase functioning and overall mood. The most common styles of therapy used are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. These therapies aim to change the patients view of themselves and their situation to one more based in reality.
Another option for treatment can be antidepressants and other medication that aims to stabilize mood. Common types include: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and bupropion. Be sure to consult with a psychiatric provider about what option would be most beneficial for your specific symptoms.
Depending on the severity of the mood disorder, PHP/IOP programs could be a good fit. A PHP or partial hospitalization program is a mental health program that is structured and includes individual therapy, skill development, group sessions, medication management, and many other positive coping tools. IOP programs are similar, but are less intensive and require less of a time commitment.
If you’re interested in exploring PHP and IOP programs near you, Clarity Clinic offers the best PHP treatment and IOP treatment programs in all of IL. Click on the link below to learn more on how our virtual IOP, adult PHP/IOP, and adolescent PHP/IOP programs can help your mental health.
PHP/IOP ProgramsLiving with a mood disorder can be challenging, but with the right tools and support, it’s absolutely possible to lead a fulfilling and balanced life. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or managing symptoms for years, here are some practical tips to help you navigate day-to-day life and prioritize your mental well-being.
Tip 1: Practice self-care! This can include going for a walk, taking a bath, spending time with a loved one, or anything that promotes your personal joy or relaxation
Tip 2: Get good sleep. Mental health and sleep go hand and hand. Try your best to establish a solid sleep routine each night.
Tip 3: Connect with loved ones. Friends and family can be an important part of maintaining your mental health over the long term. Having a strong support system can be extremely beneficial to emotional regulation.
Tip 4: Engage daily in Mindfulness and Meditation. These coping tools have been shown to reduce stress and give the meditator a more positive outlook. You can find free meditations on Spotify, YouTube, pandora, apple music, wherever you listen. Your therapist can also help guide you on how to practice meditation and mindfulness.
Tip 5: Seek out professional mental health early. As soon you notice your symptoms increase or come back, be sure to reach out to a mental health professional. They can help you get back on track with a treatment plan that is right for you.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with a mood disorder, you don’t have to face it alone. Clarity Clinic offers expert psychiatry and therapy services in Chicago to help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online mental health care, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
We have mental health clinics located in the Loop, River North, Lakeview Belmont, Lakeview Broadway, Evanston, and Arlington Heights. Book a consultation today and find the best Chicago therapist and psychiatrist for your needs!
Book a ConsultationRelated Readings:
Is anxiety a mood disorder?
No, anxiety is not a mood disorder, it is classified as an anxiety disorder.
Is bipolar a mood disorder?
Yes, bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder.
Is depression a mood disorder?
Yes, depression is one of the most common types of mood disorders.
Is PTSD a mood disorder?
No, PTSD is not a mood disorder, it is classified as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder.
Is borderline personality disorder a mood disorder
No, BPD is not a mood disorder, it is a personality disorder, though it involves mood instability.
Is schizophrenia a mood disorder?
No, schizophrenia is not a mood disorder, it is a psychotic disorder.
What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder?
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a childhood mental health condition characterized by chronic irritability, frequent temper outbursts, and an angry or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day. It typically affects children between the ages of 6 and 18.
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