What are Mood and Anxiety Disorders?
Mood and anxiety disorders cover a wide range of conditions that fall under the umbrella of mental health disorders and there are distinct differences between the two.
- Mood disorders. Most of us feel a range of emotions, from sad or irritable to happy or elated. Individuals struggling with a mood disorder experience these emotions more noticeably and sometimes for extended periods of time, and to an extent that it interferes with their day-to-day lives. Depression and bipolar disorder are among two of the most common mood disorders.
- Anxiety disorders. While we all worry or feel anxious from time to time, individuals with an anxiety disorder experience intense feelings of anxiety or panic, even during routine or daily life. Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness and there are many types, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, phobias, social anxiety, and more.