Mood is described as the ground tone of our inner or emotional life. Upon this ground tone, our emotions are superimposed. Mood or the affective state may vary within certain boundaries but it is normally constant, within the time frame of several hours to several days. Only when this affective state falls outside these boundaries for longer periods of time, we refer to it as a mood (or affective) disorder. Mood dysfunctions may be observed during anamnesis, but are subjective, and should be checked with the patient.
The various mood components are described as follows:
- Euthymic (normal mood).
- Gloomy (not cheerful). A gloomy mood is a characteristic sign for a depressive disorder, or any psychiatric disorder in which depression is co-morbid disorder.
- Anhedonic (the inability to gain pleasure). Anhedonia is a characteristic sign of a depressive disorder, but also of schizophrenia.
- Apathetic (dull, numb). An apathetic mood is characteristic of a depressive disorder, but may also be indicative of dementia and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Anxious. An anxious mood is characteristic of anxiety disorders, but also of various other psychiatric disorders, including depression.
- Dysphoric (annoyed, irritable). A dysphoric mood is indicative of a depressive disorder, but also of schizophrenia or mania.
- Euphoric (too happy), expansive (over-estimating oneself, being overly communicative) and ecstatic (elated). Mood aspects that are characteristic of mania and fronto-temporal brain related disorders.
Combinations of these mood aspects may occur. It is important at the time of anamnesis to gain insight into the mood fluctuations, both in amplitude and frequency, and the patient’s subjective experience and ideas regarding his moods. Mood is reactive to ideas and experiences.
