What mood are you?

In psychology there are also mood disorders, these disorders can also be called depressive disorders. There are three main types of depression, as it is more commonly called. They are major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and dysthymia.  Each of these disorders have to do with the mood of a person.  A lot of the time depression is described as an overwhelming sadness that just doesn't leave no matter what a person does. 

Major depressive disorder can either be a recurrent thing or a single episode.  This feeling of sadness and depression can last for the minimum of two weeks.  The symptoms of this disorder can be a lack of interest in activities that normal are enjoyed by the person, it causes some kind of sleep disturbance, a lot of the time a person will feel worthless, they will have less of an appetite, and most will just want to be alone. Some will even develop something called psychomotor retardation, this is when a person's thinking and/or movements come slowly to them.  Treatments for major depression are talk therapy or psychotherapy and antidepressants.



Seasonal affective disorder is a depression that occurs at the same time every year.  Most often this depression sets in around the end of autumn and will continue throughout the winter months.  This is thought to be because of the change in the weather and change in the chemicals of the sunshine. In most people the symptoms will just be a sapping of your energy and this leads to you being a little moodier than usual.  The treatment for this type of depression is  light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications.  Light therapy is exposure to artificial light.  This light mimics the light outside.  Psychotherapy is commonly called the "talking treatment." This is because a lot of the time it is based on talking to a therapist or a group of people with similar problems. 

Dysthymia is less severe than a major depression episode, however it can last longer than that of a major depression. This kind of depression messes with a person's ability to function and to enjoy life around them.  Some of the symptoms of dysthymia are feeling hopeless, a lack of productivity, and a low self-esteem.  A person may also loose interest in things they normally enjoy.  This can stay around for two years or even longer in some.  Some treatments for this are psychotherapy, and medications such as antidepressants, or a combination of these therapies