A mood disorder is defined as someone who has disrupted emotions and moods. These can be severe lows and highs.

• Major depressive disorder — prolonged and persistent periods of extreme sadness

• Bipolar disorder — also called manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, is depression that includes alternating times of depression and 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 are directly related to the physical effects of another medical condition

• Depression induced by substance use or medication — depression symptoms that develop during or soon after substance use or withdrawal or after exposure to a medication.

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 It is important to get medical support and advice, talking therapy and medication are often used to help.