Mood Disorders

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mooddisorders.html

Most people feel sad or irritable from time to time. They may say they're in a bad mood. A mood disorder is different. It affects a person's everyday emotional state. Nearly one in ten people aged 18 and older have mood disorders. These include

major depressive disorder
dysthymic disorder (a chronic, mild depression)
bipolar disorder (also called manic depression)

Mood disorders can increase a person's risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. With tretment, most people with mood disorders can lead productive lives.