mood disorder

noun

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of mood disorder

: any of several psychological disorders (such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder) characterized by abnormalities of emotional state — called also affective disorder

Recent Examples of mood disorder from the Web

According to the World Health Organization, 27 percent of adults in the U.S. will experience some sort of mental health disorder – think mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, phobias, impulse control issues and the like –over a 12-month period.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "Why Mariah Carey's Bipolar Diagnosis Matters," 11 Apr. 2018
The researchers looked to see if the teen had a previous diagnosis of a mental condition, including anxiety, mood disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychosis, sleep disorders or substance abuse problems.

— dennis thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Certain teens more likely to get hooked on opioids," 16 Mar. 2018
Antidepressant medications can be hugely helpful—even life-saving—for those who suffer from certain types of mood disorders.

— nutrition diva monica reinagel, Scientific American, "Why Do Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain?," 3 Mar. 2018
There are also references to Cruz having obsessive-compulsive disorder, episodic mood disorder, oppositional defiance disorder and a history of aggression.

— rosa flores, CNN, "Stoneman Douglas' resource officer recommended committing Nikolas Cruz for mental health issues," 19 Mar. 2018
For example, odds rose higher for teens with anxiety who take benzodiazepines (such as Xanax); kids with mood disorders who take an SNRI (such as Cymbalta); and those taking antipsychotics for schizophrenia (such as Abilify).

— dennis thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Certain teens more likely to get hooked on opioids," 16 Mar. 2018
The key treatment for mood disorders such as depression is talk therapy.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "What to ask your child’s doctor about screening for depression," 1 Mar. 2018
Castillo told the officer of Dustin’s disability, as well as his mood disorder.

— jacob beltran, San Antonio Express-News, "Man fatally shot during confrontation on Loop 410 had mental disability," 16 Feb. 2018
But the doctors could find no cause for their injuries, which included headaches, dizziness and hearing, vision, sleep and mood disorders.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump still hasn’t nominated a director for the Violence Against Women office at the Justice Department," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mood disorder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of mood disorder

1969

Medical Dictionary

mood disorder

noun

medical Definition of mood disorder

: any of several psychological disorders characterized by abnormalities of emotional state and including especially major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder — called also affective disorder