There are several different kinds of mood disorders that affect millions of people every year. Mood disorders fall under two major categories, depression and bi polar disorder, with several conditions in each category. Mood disorders tend to run in families and it is two to three times more likely to affect women than men.
Major Depression is characterized by a depressed or irritable mood, decreased pleasure in activities and other symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily activities. There is also a condition known as major depression with psychotic symptoms, also called psychotic depression.
Dysthymia is a condition that falls under the depression spectrum but is less intense. It is sometimes called double depression because there is always a low grade depression or irritability in conjunction with the more intense episodes, similar to major depression.
Postpartum depression also falls into this category, but only affects women after childbirth. This is a more severe condition than just a case of the “baby blues.” There is also a severe type of this depression called postpartum psychosis, which can be very dangerous if left untreated and can include thoughts of harming the new baby.
Bi Polar disorder is a condition that was formerly called manic depression and is characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression. Under this category there is condition called Bi Polar I and is classified as having one manic episode and conforms to the classic idea of Bi Polar Disorder. Bi- Polar II is the higher functioning form of Bi Polar Disorder, and it is believed to be under diagnosed because of this. Cyclothymia is believed to be the mildest form of all the Bi Polar disorders. The mood swings are not as severe.
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