Mood Disorders 

Common Characteristics

The disorders in this category include those where the primary symptom is a disturbance in mood.  In other words, inappropriate, exaggerated, or limited range of feelings.  Everybody gets down sometimes, and everybody experiences a sense of excitement and emotional pleasure.  To be diagnosed with a mood disorder, your feelings must be to the extreme.  In other words, crying, and/or feeling depressed, suicidal frequently.  Or, the opposite extreme, having excessive energy where sleep is not needed for days at a time and during this time the decision making process in significantly hindered.

Disorders in this Category

  Bipolar Disorder

  Cyclothymic Disorder

  Dysthymic Disorder

  Major Depressive Disorder