Moods are a part of us, and though some are temporary, they all have an impact on our lives. For someone without a mood disorder, there are natural highs and lows with a neutral balance in between. Those who have mood disorders, however, can experience everything with much greater intensity. Their highs could be euphoric, and their lows might push them into severe depression and they may find themselves ranging from anxiety to anger at the slightest change.
Mood disorders are highly common; also known as affective disorders, they include depression, anxiety, and other types of mood regulation conditions you might not have heard about. When it comes to substance abuse, mood disorders play a large role in the development and treatment of addiction. Data show that people who have mood disorders abuse drugs and alcohol more frequently, and they’re more likely to develop a misuse or dependence issue.
What Is a Mood Disorder?
“Mood disorder” is an umbrella term that covers multiple types of conditions. Generally speaking, a mood disorder is any mental health condition that affects your ability to regulate and process emotions and impact the way you function. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) lists mood disorders into two categories: depressive disorders and bipolar and related disorders.
Depressive disorders are marked by an ongoing low mood that’s difficult or impossible to escape. It may be accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, existential dread, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. If you ever feel like you want to harm yourself or can’t find a reason to keep going, we’re here to listen and help. The National Mental Health Hotline offers 24/7 confidential counseling for anyone in need. You can reach us day or night at 866-903-3787.
Bipolar disorders are characterized by extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). There are two types of bipolar disorder as well as a milder form called cyclothymia. Those who have symptoms for multiple disorders or strong symptoms that don’t fit diagnostic criteria may be diagnosed with a mood disorder “other specified.”
Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders cause a person to experience a persistent low mood. We all feel sad now and again, but someone with depression experiences a profound emptiness that doesn’t simply go away on its own. Some people mistakenly tell others with depression to “just think positive” or “snap out of it.” They may believe that this is a probable solution because it helps them when they’re in a low mood. Depression, though, is entirely different.
If you feel hopeless or you struggle to find worth in yourself or anything around you, you may be suffering from depression. It’s not uncommon for those experiencing major depressive disorder or low-grade depression to use substances to ease their pain. Drugs and alcohol can produce a numbing effect, but they might also make people feel lighter and even temporarily happy when they can’t in their regular lives.
Just because substances provide temporary relief does not mean they’re a cure for depression. In fact, prolonged substance abuse can make depression worse. Many people make decisions to self-harm or end their lives when they’re intoxicated. If you get trapped in the cycle of addiction, you might feel like your entire life has been consumed by drugs and depression and there’s no way out. This is never the case, no matter how bleak things feel. Treatment is available for every severity of depression, and treatment does help. Things get better gradually as long as you give yourself time and patience to believe they can change.
Bipolar Disorders
Unlike depression, which is an ongoing or seemingly permanent low mood, people with bipolar disorder experience two ends of a spectrum. On one end, they are prone to feeling extremely happy, self-confident, ambitious, and optimistic. This is known as mania. However, some people’s mania does not express itself as positively as others. Their mania may trigger seemingly “random” bouts of intense anger or anxiety. Others may experience psychotic symptoms, which include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) and delusions (believing things that aren’t true).
The DSM-V identifies two types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I
Bipolar I disorder is the longest known type of bipolar disorder. It was previously classified as “manic depression.” Bipolar I is more black and white than bipolar II. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar I, you’re likely to fluctuate between intense mania and major depressive symptoms.
High moods are known as “manic episodes,” and they may include:
• Feeling more energized and sleeping less than usual
• Increased self-confidence
• Feeling like you’re on top of the world for no reason
• Experiencing feelings of joy, euphoria, or invincibility
• Taking more risks and acting impulsively
• Being more talkative and outgoing
• Setting goals and coming up with ideas that you throw yourself into
In bipolar I, the mania can be so intense that it completely disrupts your life and makes you feel disconnected from reality. You may take major risks or do things that put you or others in danger. This can include taking drugs, drinking excessively, driving under the influence, spending a lot of money you don’t have, or partaking in risky sexual behavior.
In order to get diagnosed with this disorder, you must have at least one manic episode followed by a depressive episode lasting at least one week. If this sounds too intense for what you feel, you may relate more to bipolar II or cyclothymic disorder.
Bipolar II
Think of bipolar II as a less severe version of bipolar II. This type of bipolar disorder has a major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks followed by a hypomanic episode that lasts for a minimum of four days. Hypomania is less intense than mania, so while you may have an elevated mood, you don’t feel as euphoric. Some people are more likely to experience hypomania as unplaceable agitation, anger, or anxiety. While they may not require hospitalization, as is the case with many people who have bipolar I, bipolar II episodes are still disruptive and can trigger substance abuse.
Cyclothymic Disorder
For someone who experiences low-grade depression and slightly elevated moods, life can feel unstable but not significantly impaired enough to merit a bipolar diagnosis. Cyclothymia can be so subtle that you don’t notice it anymore, and you may just classify yourself as “moody.” Cyclothymia requires at least two years of symptoms in a cyclic nature; you might feel down for a while and not be able to explain why and then feel slightly better and think you’re fine or “just okay.” But cyclothymic disorder is just as real as bipolar I and II, and it can also be improved through appropriate treatment.
A lot of people with cyclothymia may feel like they live in a gray world. Unlike someone with strictly major depressive disorder, their days aren’t entirely ruled by hopeless depression. And without intense manic episodes, they don’t ever feel incredibly joyous or have an inflated sense of self. Instead, everything runs on a neutral line that may sometimes shift toward feeling better or worse.
Other Symptoms of Mood Disorders
You may not be entirely sure whether you have a mood disorder at all, and that’s okay. You don’t need all the answers to know that something is bothering you and you need help. Recognizing that you aren’t happy or that your moods are getting in the way of living life the way you want is the first step toward positive change.
If you aren’t sure what type of symptoms justify a disorder, here’s a list that can help. If you experience any of these symptoms on a continual basis, you may be suffering from a disorder that can be helped with the right treatment plan.
• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed or finding them pointless
• Withdrawing from friends and family because you don’t want them to see you down
• Having difficulty falling asleep, sleeping more than usual, or always feeling tired
• Crying, feeling overwhelmingly sad, or always feeling upset
• Feeling “on edge” or tense
• “Exploding” in fits of rage, anger, or tears that surprise even you
• Feeling worthless and avoiding others as a result
• Questioning your self-worth and wondering whether you deserve to live
• Inexplicable feelings of guilt or shame
• Thoughts about harming yourself, dying, and/or committing suicide
• Changes in appetite that may range from not being hungry at all to binge eating
• Feeling “flat” or “empty” and having a hard time seeing the point in anything
All of these symptoms can express themselves a little differently in everyone. But what’s most important is that you talk about what you’re feeling. You don’t have to bottle things up and hold it all together. When you’re struggling, you deserve support. You deserve to know that someone cares. That’s why we’re here, and we’re always willing to take your call and hear you out. You may find that just talking about what you’ve been dealing with alone for so long can make you feel better. Taking the next steps is up to you, but we’re here to offer support and suggestions along the way.
How Do Mood Disorders Affect Substance Abuse?
People who struggle with a mood disorder are more likely to use substances to self-medicate. They may also start abusing drugs during periods of impulsivity or restlessness, as is the case with many people who have bipolar I or II. Alcohol and drugs provide a variety of effects that people may find desirable. For some, it’s the ability to numb themselves to their pain and “turn off” their brains for a while. Others enjoy feeling like their worries have completely disappeared, and they may even feel like they’re only themselves when they’re under the influence.
When you wrestle with your own mood and thoughts long enough, you’ll probably crave an escape. And if you believe that your mood disorder is really just a problem with who you are, you’re more likely to try and avoid it or escape it rather than treat it.
Mood disorders may not all go away, but they can be managed. Treatment through rehab or individual/group therapy can help you recognize your symptoms better, understand them and cope with them in a healthier way.
What Causes Mood Disorders?
There are no known definitive causes for depression, bipolar disorder, or other mood-related disorders. Like all mental health conditions, a number of factors increase the likelihood of developing them over the course of your life. Common factors that contribute to a mood disorder include a family history of them, high levels of stress or trauma, and major life changes. For many, the first experience of a mood disorder hits in early adolescence or early adulthood when many big shifts are taking place.
Regardless of whether or not your family has mental health problems, mood disorders aren’t anyone’s fault. Depression and anxiety can happen to anyone. What you go through because of your mental health doesn’t say anything about your worth or strength.
How to Get Help for a Mood Disorder
Reaching out can be one of the hardest things to do. If you’ve been struggling alone or even abusing drugs or alcohol in secret, you might feel like it’s too much of a risk to be open about what you’re going through. But you need to let others in and provide assistance if you want things to change. You’re the only one who can make a difference in your life, but you don’t have to do it by yourself.
You might start by researching different types of mental health problems, learning more about them and realizing you have a health issue not a personal flaw. If you don’t feel comfortable opening up to friends or family, you can look for alternatives. In fact, this can often be the better option for someone who really needs a therapist or rehab professional instead of personal advice.
Remember, you’re not in this alone. If you’re in mental pain or just need someone to talk to, the National Mental Health Hotline is always available at 866-903-3787.