Mood Disorder vs Personality Disorder

Comparing Mood and Personality Disorders

Do you have a mental health problem and are unsure about the difference between mood disorder vs personality disorder? People are often confused by the two. If you are struggling and need to know more about these forms of mental disorders, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we take a look at exactly what each of these terms means and compare their effective forms of treatment at Emerald Isle Health & Recovery.

Reviewing the Differences in Mental Health Disorders

There are plenty of differences between mood disorders and personality disorders. But before we dive into this, let us take a look at exactly what these two types of mental health disorders are.

Personality disorders

A personality disorder is a type of mental illness where one’s personality traits have become rigid and inflexible, causing difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are characterized by extreme changes in emotions such as sadness or mania.

Personality disorders are typically divided into three categories: Cluster A (odd/eccentric personality disorders), Cluster B (dramatic/emotional personality disorders), and Cluster C (anxious/fearful personality disorders). Each cluster has different personality types associated with it.

Cluster A

Cluster A personality disorders are paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. These individuals often appear strange or odd to others and may have difficulty forming relationships.

Cluster B

Cluster B personality disorders are antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. Individuals with these personality types often display intense emotions and behaviors that can be destructive or inappropriate in social situations.

Cluster C

Finally, Cluster C personality disorders are characterized by anxious or fearful behavior. These individuals often exhibit extreme avoidance of conflict and social situations as well as feelings of apprehension or fear. Cluster C personality disorders are avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

In contrast to personality disorders, mood disorders involve changes in one’s emotional state over time. These changes can be extreme, ranging from deep depression to hypomania or mania. Both mood disorders and personality disorders are typically treated with counseling, therapy, other mental health services and therapeutic approaches, and psychiatric medications.

Understanding the differences between personality disorder and mood disorder is important in order to seek appropriate treatment for either one. With proper treatment, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and live more fulfilling lives.

Mood disorders vs personality disorders

Mood and personality disorders are two different entities within the field of mental health. While both can lead to significant psychological distress, they have distinct causes and characteristics that set them apart.

Mood disorders

Mood disorders involve changes in a person’s emotion or emotional state, such as depression or bipolar disorder. These conditions are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and can be treated with medication or therapy. Symptoms of mood disorders typically include intense feelings of sadness, despair, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, fatigue, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and changes in appetite.

Personality disorders

Personality disorders involve deeply rooted patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are different from the norms of a culture and cause distress to the individual or those around them. These patterns are often rigid and hard to change, despite efforts. Common personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. Symptoms of these conditions can include difficulty relating to others, feelings of emptiness or boredom, extreme sensitivity to criticism or rejection, aggression or hostility, and manipulative or deceitful behavior.

Differences in the treatment of mood and personality disorders

While mood disorders respond well to medication and therapy, personality disorders typically require long-term psychotherapy, and patients often struggle to make substantial changes without help. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from a mood or personality disorder, it is important to seek professional help in order to get the right support.

Personality disorders

Here are some of the most common personality disorders. Note that while reading this list can give you an indication of whether or not you have a personality disorder, and which personality disorder you have, you cannot be sure of which mental health conditions you have until you have spoken with a mental health professional.

Paranoid personality disorder

A paranoid personality disorder is characterized by extreme mistrust of other people and suspicions that others are out to harm them. People with this personality type often misinterpret the actions or intentions of those around them, leading to intense feelings of paranoia and hostility. Symptoms can include excessive suspiciousness, holding grudges for long periods of time, difficulty trusting others, and a tendency to blame others for their problems.

Schizoid personality disorder

A schizoid personality disorder is characterized by extreme social withdrawal and detachment from others. People with this personality type often avoid intimate relationships and prefer solitary activities such as watching TV or reading. Symptoms can include an inability to show emotion, difficulty forming close relationships, limited interests in life, and indifference to praise or criticism.

Antisocial personality disorder

An antisocial personality disorder is another form of personality disorder. If you have an antisocial personality, you may have a disregard for the rights of others, a lack of empathy, and impulsivity. People with this personality type often engage in criminal behavior such as theft or vandalism and may be aggressive towards others. Symptoms can include lying, manipulation of others, impulsivity, and a disregard for the safety of oneself or others.

Borderline personality disorder

People with borderline personality disorder exhibit intense emotional instability and impulsive behavior. People with a borderline personality disorder often act erratically in their relationships with others, leading to frequent arguments and conflicts. Symptoms can include anger problems, severe mood swings, recklessness or impulsivity, and an intense fear of abandonment.

Histrionic personality disorder

A histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. People with this personality type often engage in dramatic displays of emotion to get the attention of those around them. Symptoms can include overly dramatic behavior, overly seductive behavior, an excessive need for approval, and difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

Avoidant personality disorder

An avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy. People with this personality type often have low self-esteem and will avoid social situations due to their fear of being judged or rejected. Symptoms can include feeling socially inept, extreme shyness or anxiety around others, and an intense preoccupation with their own perceived deficiencies.

Note that while anxiety can affect your mood, and anxiety disorders are often serious mental health problems, an anxiety disorder is not a mood disorder.

Dependent personality disorder

A dependent personality disorder is characterized by fear of separation and an excessive need to be taken care of. People with this personality type often rely on others to make decisions for them and will

Mood disorders and Mood Symptoms

Below are some of the most common mood disorders. Millions of people around the US have mood disorders like these.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the depressive disorders that involves symptoms of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and decreased energy. These symptoms can last for at least two weeks and interfere with daily life activities. Major depressive disorder (also known as major depression) is usually treated with antidepressants or psychotherapy. It is estimated that about 16 million adults in the United States suffer from this mental illness.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy and behavior. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can include alternating episodes of mania and depression. Mania involves an elevated or irritable mood, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, grandiose ideas and reckless behavior. During depressive episodes, individuals can feel sad and hopeless and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Effective treatments for bipolar disorder include medications such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics as well as psychotherapy.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a form of depression that can range from mild to severe and typically lasts for at least two years. Symptoms may include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, fatigue, and low self-esteem. Treatment options for a persistent depressive disorder include psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a type of mood disorder that can develop following the birth of a baby. Symptoms may include sadness, loss of pleasure in activities, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, restlessness and irritability. It is estimated that up to 15% of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. Treatment for postpartum depression typically involves psychotherapy and/or antidepressant medications.

Effective mental illness treatment and healing

If you believe you have one of the mental disorders in this article, Emerald Isle can help. We can conduct a full personality disorder diagnosis so you know which disorder or disorders you are likely coping with.

With this information, we will work with you to get back to mental wellness. For a confidential discussion and to learn more about our programs, please reach out today!