Types of Mood Disorders and Their Symptoms, Explained

The main types of mood disorders fall into two families: depressive disorders, such as major depression, persistent depressive disorder, perinatal depression, seasonal affective disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and bipolar disorders, including bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder. Each has a different pattern and time frame, which is why the correct type matters for treatment.

This article is for adults and teens in Texas who wonder whether ongoing mood changes are more than stress, and for family members trying to understand a loved one's diagnosis.

What is a mood disorder?

A mood disorder is a condition that changes your everyday emotional state for weeks, months or longer and interferes with your life. MedlinePlus notes that most people feel sad or irritable from time to time, but that a mood disorder affects your everyday emotional state, and that depression and bipolar disorder are the main types.

The key differences from ordinary ups and downs are how long symptoms last, how intense they are and how much they affect work, school, relationships and self-care. Ordinary stress tends to ease with rest or time. A mood disorder usually does not.

What are the main types of mood disorders?

The main types of mood disorders are grouped by whether they involve only depression or also periods of elevated mood. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes several forms of depression, and notes that bipolar disorder involves depressive episodes as well as manic episodes.

• Depressive disorders: major depression, persistent depressive disorder, perinatal depression, seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and depression with psychosis.
• Bipolar disorders: bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder.
• Mood symptoms with another cause: mood changes driven by a medical condition, medication or substance use.

What are major depression and persistent depressive disorder?

Both are depressive disorders, but they differ in intensity and duration.

Major depression

Major depression is a period of depressed mood or loss of interest lasting at least two weeks, with other symptoms that affect daily life. NIMH states that major depression includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest most of the time for at least two weeks that interfere with daily activities.

Other common symptoms include changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, slowed movement or restlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms vary, and some people feel more irritable or numb than sad. Our article on signs of depression people often ignore covers the less obvious ones.

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder, sometimes called dysthymia, is a lower-grade depression that lasts a long time. NIMH describes it as less severe depression symptoms that last much longer, usually for at least two years.

Because people with it often keep working and functioning, it can go unnoticed for years. People sometimes describe it as having always been "a little down" or assume it is simply their personality.

Example: someone might realize, while filling out a questionnaire, that they cannot remember the last few years without a background heaviness, even though they never stopped going to work.

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorders involve shifts between depression and periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood and energy. The NIMH bipolar disorder guide describes three main types.

Bipolar I disorder

Manic episodes that last at least seven days, or that are so severe that hospital care is needed. Depressive episodes are also common.

Bipolar II disorder

Depressive episodes alternating with hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than full mania. Bipolar II is often first diagnosed as depression. Our article on bipolar 2 vs depression explains why.

Cyclothymic disorder

Recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or long enough to qualify as full episodes.

MedlinePlus notes that bipolar disorder was formerly called manic depression, and that the exact cause is unknown but genetics, brain structure and function, and environment may play a role.

What are perinatal, seasonal and premenstrual mood disorders?

These are depressive conditions tied to a specific time: pregnancy and after birth, the seasons, or the menstrual cycle.

Perinatal depression

The NIMH perinatal depression guide distinguishes the short-lived baby blues from depression that is more severe and lasts longer than two weeks. It can affect bonding and daily care. See our guide to baby blues or postpartum depression.

Seasonal affective disorder

The NIMH seasonal affective disorder guide describes a pattern of depression that returns at the same time each year, most often in late fall and winter.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

MedlinePlus describes PMDD as a severe type of premenstrual syndrome, with symptoms severe enough to interfere with your life. It is often dismissed as ordinary PMS. Tracking mood across cycles helps, and our mood tracker guide shows how.

Can a medical condition or substance cause mood symptoms?

Yes, medical conditions, medicines and substances can all cause mood symptoms. NIMH notes that certain medications and medical conditions, such as viruses or thyroid disorders, can cause the same symptoms as depression, and that a provider can rule these out with a physical exam, interview and lab tests.

Alcohol, cannabis and other substances, as well as withdrawal from them, can also affect mood. An evaluation looks at these possibilities before settling on a diagnosis.

How are mood disorders treated?

Mood disorders are usually treated with psychotherapy, medication or both, tailored to the specific type. MedlinePlus lists medicines and talk therapy among the main treatments for mood disorders.

The type matters. Treatment for bipolar disorder differs from treatment for depression, because some approaches that help depression can be risky on their own for someone with bipolar disorder. That is one reason clinicians ask carefully about past high-energy periods before recommending a plan.

Daily routines support any treatment. The NIMH bipolar disorder guide encourages keeping regular routines for eating, sleeping and exercise. For seasonal depression, light exposure is often part of the discussion with a clinician. For PMDD, tracking cycles helps time and evaluate treatment.

This article is general information, not a medical recommendation. Do not start, stop or change any medication without talking to your prescriber.

How is a mood disorder diagnosed, step by step?

A mood disorder is diagnosed through a careful evaluation, not a single test. Lyte Psychiatry offers therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management in Texas.

1. Symptom history. What you feel, how long it lasts and how often it returns.
2. Past highs. Questions about periods of unusually high energy, little need for sleep or risky behavior.
3. Patterns. Links to seasons, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or major life events.
4. Medical and substance review. Health conditions, medicines, alcohol and other substances.
5. Family history. Mood disorders in close relatives.
6. Screening tools. Brief questionnaires to measure symptoms.
7. Plan. A working diagnosis, treatment options and a follow-up date.

What should I tell a clinician? A checklist

Share patterns and timing as clearly as you can. NIMH explains that bipolar disorder involves manic episodes as well as depressive ones, so mentioning any past highs is especially important.

• When low mood started and how long episodes last.
• Any times you felt unusually energized, needed little sleep or took big risks.
• Whether symptoms follow a season or your menstrual cycle.
• Recent pregnancy or birth.
• Medicines, alcohol and other substances.
• Family members with depression or bipolar disorder.

When should I get help sooner? Red flags

Get help quickly if mood symptoms are severe, change rapidly or involve safety concerns. Lyte Psychiatry is an outpatient practice. It does not provide inpatient care, crisis or after-hours coverage, medically supervised detox, or intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs.

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• Several days with little or no sleep and racing thoughts or reckless behavior.
• Hearing or seeing things others do not, or holding unusual beliefs.
• Severe depression during pregnancy or after birth.
• Being unable to eat, work or care for yourself or others.

What should people in Texas know about mood disorders?

Mood disorders occur in Texas as everywhere, though some patterns, such as seasonal depression, are less common here. The NIMH seasonal affective disorder guide notes that it is more common farther from the equator, such as in Alaska or New England, than in states like Texas or Florida.

Less common is not the same as absent. Some Texans notice a winter pattern, especially after the clocks change in November, and a smaller number notice a summer pattern. Whatever the type, telehealth can make regular follow-up easier across a large state, as long as you are physically in Texas during the visit.

Getting support in Texas

Understanding the types of mood disorders can help you describe what you are experiencing, but an evaluation is what confirms the type and guides treatment. Lyte Psychiatry offers telehealth visits to patients who are physically located in Texas at the time of the visit. In-person visits are available at Lyte Psychiatry's clinic in Pantego, in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Most new patients are seen within 1–2 business days. Weekend appointments are limited. Availability, insurance and clinician fit require confirmation.

• Learn about depression care.
• Read our seasonal depression two-week plan.

All Lyte Psychiatry services are available in Spanish.

If you are in a mental-health crisis in the United States, call or text 988. Call 911 for immediate danger.

Educational information, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan.