Sometimes called affective disorders, mood disorders are a category of mental health problems that include all types of depression and bipolar disorder.

The cause of these disorders is still specifically unknown, but it is most likely a chemical imbalance of endorphins and neurotransmitters.

Major Depression

- Affects nearly 18.8 million American adults each year, including persons of all income levels, educational backgrounds, and professions.

- A two-week period of a depressed or irritable mood.

-Noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities.

- Is not the same as being unhappy or in a "blue" mood.

-People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Treatment is often necessary and many times crucial to recovery.

-Women are nearly twice as likely than men to develop major depression.

- Symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Loss of interest in activities once previously enjoyed
• Excessive crying
• Increased restlessness and irritability
• Decreased ability to concentrate and make decisions
• Decreased energy, changes in sleep patterns
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
• Increased feelings of guilt, helplessness, and/or hopelessness
• Weight and/or appetite changes due to over or under-eating
• Social withdrawal

Bipolar Disorder

-Goes beyond usual ups and downs, becoming a serious medical condition.

- Characterized by periodic episodes of extreme, elevated mood, or irritability (also called mania) followed by deep depressive symptoms.

- Manic symptoms may include:

• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for rest and sleep
• Increased irritability
• Involvement in activities that may result in painful consequence
• Increased talkativeness
• "High" or euphoric feelings
• Increased sex drive & energy level
• Increased denial

-Manic depression affects more than 2.3 million American adults (1.2%) of Americans in a given year.