Mood Disorders

[Ready for Fall 2026]

Modified: 2026-08-04 10:03 AM CDST

• Another large category of serious disorders is mood disorders.
  • These disorders are characterized by large disturbances in mood.
    • Depressed people become lethargic, develop low self-esteem, sleep for long periods, and generally, lose their enthusiasm for life and living.
      • They are at a distinct risk of suicide; thus sufferers are often hospitalized.
  • Interestingly, the risk of suicide usually increases as people move from the bottom of their depression upward.
    • They are at greater risk because, as they become less depressed, they also become more active, and have more energy.
      • They may devote that energy to planning and executing their own death.
        • So, others have to be extremely aware of that phenomenon.
        • In mental health inpatient settings, depressed people are not allowed to possess items such as belts or razor blades because they may use the items to kill themselves.

  • In bipolar disorder, which the DSM-II labelled manic-depressive psychosis, people swing back and forth between depression and mania.
    • In mania alone, people display inflated self-esteem, high levels of activity, and a lack of sleep.
  • Both mood disorders are treated with anti-depressant drugs:
    • lithium salts,
    • Prozac,
    • or some combination.
  • Many sufferers must take small doses of drugs indefinitely in order not to show their symptoms.
• The DSM-II labelled both schizophrenia and mood disorders as psychoses.
  • So, if you hear someone using the word "psychotic ," they are probably referring to bizarre behaviors and symptoms such as these.

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