Overview of Mood Disorders

The Mood Disorders category of the DSM-IV-TR, is one of the most dense categories and probably one of the most commonly talked about categories. People often make comments about being depressed or having bipolar disorder; however, they might not truly meet the diagnostic criteria to receive the diagnosis. There are several diagnoses in the Mood Disorders category which have been organized into the following subsections: Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Cylcothymic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition, Substance-Induced Mood Disorder and Mood Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

There diagnostic differences between Mood Disorders and the other categories typically revolve around that Mood Disorders affect a patient’s mood versus mood and psychosis or mood and dissociation or mood and impulse control. The mood disorders typically do not involve any other facets of a person’s mental health with the exception of a major depressive disorder severe with psychotic features. A person who is depressed may have difficulties with their sleep; however, if the person is depressed then they would not receive a sleep disorder diagnosis and instead would receive a mood disorder diagnosis which encompasses the person’s struggles with mood and sleep. For example, the diagnosis major depressive episode or manic episode might be appropriate for the aforementioned person. Moreover, if a person’s mood struggles are related to a substance disorder or a general medical condition, then the diagnostician would need to determine which diagnosis is primary and which if any is a secondary diagnosis...

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... when ruling out diagnoses from other categories. Once the diagnosis has been determined, the diagnostician needs to select any relevant specifiers. Following the diagnosis, the practitioner should determine a route of therapy for the patient. There are several routes and factors to consider and while one route might be to refer the patient to a psychiatrist or another provider who can prescribe medication, another route might be to provide therapy, such as IPT, for the patient.

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interpersonal psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.