Mood Disorders (also known as "Affective Disorders") are characterized by changes in mood state that do not have the usual connection with what is occurring in a person's life. People with depressive disorders may become sad, pessimistic, hopeless and despairing, even though they may seem to have no reasons for feeling that way. In a manic mood state a person may experience an abnormally elevated sense of self and energy, and even euphoria. Angry, irritable, agitated mood states may predominated in some patients with affective disorders. A person in a mixed affective state suffers from a kind of activated, energized sadness that appears to be a combination of depression and mania.
Mood disorders are treatable. See Patient Information.
