Mood imbalance
Mood imbalance is also called mood disorders. They occur when your emotional state doesn’t fit with your current state of being. Usually, mood disorders affect functionality. For example, you can have bouts of depression or mania, even when circumstances don’t quite fit. Sadness and happiness are part of everyday life and are different from severe emotional issues that are diagnosed as depression and mania that are experienced by people with mood disorders. Sadness is a natural response to loss, defeat, disappointment, trauma, or catastrophe. Grief or bereavement is the most common of the normal reactions to a loss or separation, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or romantic disappointment. Happiness, elation, or joy are emotions people experience when they are feeling positive about something. Mania is an abnormal mood state that may feel like happiness to a person who has a mood disorder and is in the middle of a manic episode.
What are the symptoms of mood disorders?
Ongoing sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feeling hopeless or helpless
Having low self-esteem
Feeling inadequate or worthless
Excessive guilt
Changes in appetite or weight
Decreased energy
Trouble focusing
Less able to make decisions
Mood disorders, primarily major depression and bipolar disorder, are among the most debilitating psychiatric illnesses. Although significant progress has been made, there is much to be learned about their pathophysiology and much to be improved upon regarding their treatment. Mood is defined as a pervasive and sustained feeling tone that is endured internally, and that impacts nearly all aspects of a person’s behavior in the external world. Mood disorders or affective disorders are described by marked disruptions in emotions (severe lows called depression or highs called hypomania or mania). These are common psychiatric disorders leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality.
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