What is a mood disorder?
Mood is a state of mind that is generally dominated by one or more emotions, such as anger, sadness or joy. There is a wide variety of emotions, some of which are pleasant, others unpleasant and sometimes painful. Usually, we feel that we are in control of our emotions, but a person with a mood disorder experiences their emotions more intensely, pervasively and persistently than most people, which affects their well-being and functioning. For example, they may experience a long and intense period of sadness, intense elation or alternating between the two. Among the signs and symptoms observed in mood disorders are those related to episodes of depression and mania. The frequency, duration and intensity of these manifestations vary depending on the type of mood disorder.
Depressive episode
- Great sadness and frequent crying
- Loss of interest in professional, social, and family settings
- Fatigue, lack of energy or restlessness
- Sleep problems: sleeping too much or too little
- Decreased or increased appetite, which can lead to weight loss or gain.
- Feelings of guilt or failure
- Decreased self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating on a task.
- Difficulty making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
Episode of mania
- Feelings of intense happiness and pleasure or, on the contrary, excessive irritability
- Hyperactivity, restlessness, and boundless energy
- Inordinate self-esteem or ideas of grandeur
- Greater communications (the desire to talk)
- Significant increase in the number of professional, school, social and family activities
- Decreased need to sleep
- Faster thinking
- Great distraction and difficulty concentrating
- Risky behaviour
Two of the most frequently observed mood disorders are described below : depression and bipolar disorder.
Depression
From time to time, everyone feels sad or gloomy. Problems, disappointments and failures can affect anyone’s mood. Most of the time, these feelings are temporary. But when the gloomy mood is maintained for more than a few weeks and other symptoms appear, such as lack of energy and isolation, this can be a sign of depression. There is no single cause of depression. It often develops due to a combination of factors, such as life events, biological factors (hormones, family history, genetics), lifestyle habits, illness, or ways of thinking that make a person more vulnerable.
Bipolar disorder
A person with bipolar disorder goes through periods when their mood is very different. These periods are called “episodes” of mania or depression and may be interspersed with times when their mood is “normal”. The frequency, duration and intensity of episodes can vary from person to person, but during them, it’s difficult to fulfill professional, family, and social obligations.
Reminder
No single factor can cause a mental health disorder, and the manifestation of certain symptoms does not automatically lead to a diagnosis. Only doctors, psychologists, and certain professionals authorised by their professional associations are able to make a diagnosis based on a complex professional analysis that consider multiple factors (genetic, biological, environmental, and experiential).
Testimonials
- The story of Alexandre who suffered from depression
- The story of Charles-Albert living with bipolar disorder
- The story of Anne living with bipolar disorder
This series of 6 videos produced by Station SME was created to talk about mental health without taboos. Participants generously share their stories to inspire and give hope to those who are going through a difficult time during their studies at college or university.
For more information
- Quebec Government webpage on depression
- Quebec Government webpage on bipolar disorder
- Video on the treatment of depression : Que faut-il savoir avant de prendre un antidépresseur? (Le Devoir)
- DepressionHurts.ca website of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Tools
- Self-management support tool: Aller mieux à ma façon
- My tools website
- Program : BounceBack from Canadian Mental Health Association
- Application that allows you to track your moods on a daily basis: Daylio
Warning
Depending on their intensity and duration, some signs and symptoms cannot be addressed solely through the use of self-management tools. In the event of significant psychological distress, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional help quickly, especially if you or those around you observe the following signs:
- Excessive anger or sudden mood swings
- Nervousness or agitation
- Inconsolable sadness or lack of emotion
- A loss of interest in activities you enjoy
- Difficulty sleeping or a tendency to sleep much more than usual
- Significant weight loss or gain in a short period of time
- No longer taking your medication
- Lack of hygiene
- A tendency to withdraw and isolate
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