9781422272381

1 chapter

History of Mood Disorders

Understanding what mood is, and what mood disorders entail, is essential to finding new and better ways to help those who suffer from mood disorders. In psychology, a mood is defined as an emotional state of mind or mental focus. It is not the same as emotions or feelings. A mood is much less specific, less intense, and less likely to be brought on by a single small instance or occurrence. They are typically described as being either positive or negative, which is why people tend to say they are in either a good mood or a bad mood. Mood also has some key differences from temperament or personality traits, both of which are much more constant. Someone may have a natural disposition to be a worrier or to look for worst case scenarios to prepare for, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that person’s mood is bad. Nevertheless, personality traits such as optimism and neuroticism can make someone more predisposed or vulnerable to a certain mood. Someone who always looks at the bad things in life or someone who forces a smile and a laugh, even when he or she is in pain, does not necessarily have a mood disorder.

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