If you have a mood disorder, your general emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with your circumstances. Some examples of mood disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder — prolonged and persistent periods of extreme sadness
- Bipolar disorder — also called manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, depression that includes alternating times of extreme sadness (depression) and extreme happiness (mania)
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a form of depression most often associated with fewer hours of daylight in the far northern and southern latitudes from late fall to early spring
- Cyclothymic disorder — a disorder that causes emotional ups and downs that are less extreme than bipolar disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder — mood changes and irritability that occur during the premenstrual phase of a woman's cycle and go away with the onset of menses
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) — a long-term (chronic) form of depression
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder — a disorder of chronic, severe and persistent irritability in children that often includes frequent temper outbursts that are inconsistent with the child's developmental age
- Depression related to medical illness — a persistent depressed mood and a significant loss of pleasure in most or all activities that's directly related to the physical effects of another medical condition
For most people, mood disorders can be successfully treated with medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
- Expertise. Experts in psychiatry and psychology at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota provide treatment for mood disorders. The Mayo Clinic Depression Center offers an Adult Mood Clinic and Adult Mood Program for outpatients, and an inpatient Adult Mood Disorders Unit. Experts in childhood mood disorders provide a Pediatric Mood Clinic as well as a two-week outpatient group program for youths called Child and Adolescent Integrated Mood Program (CAIMP).
- Experience. Specialists at Mayo Clinic treat thousands of people with mood disorders every year, including people with treatment-resistant mood disorders.
- Specialized assessment. A team of specially trained clinical staff provides a personalized assessment that assures your treatment is tailored to your needs.
- Latest diagnostic and treatment techniques. Mayo Clinic doctors use the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment for mood disorders. Depending on your needs, this could include psychological and genetic or metabolic testing.
- Research to improve treatment. Mayo Clinic experts conduct and participate in the latest research to determine the causes of mood disorders and improve effective treatments. You may be eligible to participate in clinical research studies and genomics testing related to treatment of mood disorders.
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Specialists in psychiatry and psychology at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota evaluate and treat adults and children with mood disorders. They specialize in treating people with treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
- U.S. Patients
- International Patients
At Mayo Clinic's campuses in Arizona and Florida, specialists see adults with mood disorders if a Mayo Clinic doctor is treating them for other medical conditions and refers them to psychiatry and psychology.
See information on patient services at the three Mayo Clinic locations, including transportation options and lodging.
Mayo Clinic's mood disorders research focuses on developing a better understanding of depression and bipolar disorder and developing new forms of treatment. Mayo researchers use the latest technology and work with genomics investigators to better define the biological basis of mood disorders, which can lead to more effective treatments.
See a list of publications on mood disorders from Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Nov. 11, 2014
- Mood disorders fact sheet. National Institutes of Health. http://report.nih.gov/NIHfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=48. Accessed Sept. 19, 2014.
- Cook AJ. Decision Support System. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 29, 2014.
- Mood disorders. MentalHealth.gov. http://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mood-disorders/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2014.
- Depressive disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
- Bipolar and related disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
- Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 5, 2014.