Mood (affective) disorders

Mood disorders are common mental health problems linked to impairment in social and work functioning, and elevated suicide risk. Recent findings suggest that mood disorders could also be a risk factor for poorer outcome during medical illness. Individual, societal, and healthcare costs of mood disorders can be minimized by adequate assessment and treatment. The assessment of mood disorders should include investigation of mood, thought, and somatic symptoms, precipitating life events, family history, suicide risk, and comorbidities, as well as differential diagnosis with other psychiatric conditions. Treatment strategies for mood disorders should be chosen on the basis of the polarity (depressive or manic episode) and severity of the current episode, and prior history. Residual symptoms are a risk factor for relapses and chronicity, and should be minimized by administering an adequate type, dose, and length of pharmacological treatment. Mood swings could be prevented by administering mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics.