Mood Disorders: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

Types of Mood Disorders

Depression

Major Depressive Disorder, also known as major depression or simply "depression", is an illness characterised by a continuous low mood, low energy, and/or a loss of interest and enjoyment in life. Although most of us have experienced periods of feeling “down” or “sad”, these feelings are usually fleeting and not as severe or chronic as the negative feelings that characterise depression. In Singapore, depression is the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition.

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is also known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. This condition is similar to Major Depressive Disorder, in that it also involves being in a continuously low emotional state. However, the feelings of sadness, emptiness, and/or lethargy are felt less intensely by someone with dysthymia compared to someone with major depression. The symptoms of dysthymia also last longer - for at least one year in children and teens, and at least two years in adults.

All bipolar disorders are characterised by periods of extreme emotion known as manic episodes and depressive episodes. Bipolar I and Bipolar II are the two most well-known types of bipolar disorder. Someone with Bipolar I experiences episodes of "full mania", which involve extremely elevated mood, high energy, and/or erratic behaviour. Someone with Bipolar II experiences episodes of "hypomania", which are less intense than full mania, but also more severe depressive episodes.

Treatments for Mood Disorders

Clinical studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective in treating mood disorders by focusing on the connection between thoughts and emotions. In CBT, the therapist helps clients identify and challenge negative thinking patterns, replacing them with healthier thought processes.

This approach promotes emotional well-being by reshaping how one perceives and responds to various situations. To enhance the effectiveness of treatment, CBT may be combined with other therapies, such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and mindfulness-based practices like yoga, which further support mental and emotional resilience.