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A mood disorder is a mental health disorder with an abnormal mood as its primary feature. “Mood” refers to the sustained feelings and emotions through which a person interprets life. Most mood disorders are defined and diagnosed by the occurrence of one or more mood episodes, or periods of abnormal happiness or sadness. Such episodes do not constitute a mood disorder in themselves.

Episodes of abnormal happiness often indicate the presence of mania, which may be accompanied by elevated feelings and self-esteem and abnormal and sometimes reckless behavior. Episodes of abnormal sadness indicate a depressive disorder (e.g., major depression, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder) and involve lengthy periods of time where a patient is sad, fatigued and has little interest in usual activities.

Mood disorders affect people of all ages, races and genders. Children with mood disorders often display similar symptoms as adults, but they may not meet the full criteria for diagnosis. Once believed to be rare in children, mood disorders, particularly depression, are now known to be common even under the age of 12 years. Mood disorders seem to be occurring earlier in life today than in previous years.

Suicide is a serious risk involved in mood disorders, especially among children and adolescents. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about two-thirds of all children and adolescents who commit suicide have a mood disorder.

Many mood disorders are associated with anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. This often results in misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis, particularly among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in any given year, about 9.5 percent of American adults, or about 18.8 million people, have a mood disorder. Mood disorders can occur in any race or social class. They generally affect women more often than men.