Our moods affect our lives every day. There are moments when we experience sadness and other moments where we experience happiness. We may even experience these two moods on the same day. However, some individuals may get “stuck” on a low mood or may experience drastic shifts in mood. The extreme shifts in mood may be caused by a group of mental illnesses labelled mood disorders.

Mood disorders are a category of disorders that describe significant changes in moods. Mood disorders are one of the most common types of mental illnesses.  Mood disorders include: Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder (Major and Persistent), Postpartum Depression Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Cyclothymia.

For more information, please consult with your Family Physician. Learn more about Mood Disorders at the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (https://mdsc.ca/) or the Canadian Mental Health Association (http://www.cmha.ca/).