Mood Disorder Timeline Presentation

Depressive Episode

≥2 weeks

Key Symptoms

  • Depressed mood
  • Anhedonia
  • Sleep/appetite changes
  • Fatigue
  • Worthlessness
  • Concentration problems
  • Suicidal thoughts

DSM-5 Criteria

5+ symptoms including depressed mood OR anhedonia

Impairment: Significant distress or impairment

Manic Episode

≥1 week

Key Symptoms

  • Elevated/irritable mood
  • Increased energy
  • Grandiosity
  • Decreased sleep
  • Pressured speech
  • Racing thoughts
  • Distractibility
  • Risky behavior

DSM-5 Criteria

Elevated/irritable mood + increased energy + 3+ additional symptoms

Impairment: Marked impairment or hospitalization required

Hypomanic Episode

≥4 days

Key Symptoms

  • Elevated/irritable mood
  • Increased energy
  • Grandiosity
  • Decreased sleep
  • More talkative
  • Racing thoughts
  • Increased activity

DSM-5 Criteria

Same symptoms as mania but no marked impairment

Impairment: Observable change but no severe impairment

Mixed Features Specifier

During episode

Key Symptoms

  • Simultaneous depression + mania symptoms
  • Mood lability
  • Psychomotor agitation
  • Racing thoughts with sadness
  • Energy with hopelessness

DSM-5 Criteria

3+ symptoms from opposite pole during episode

Impairment: Severe distress and increased suicide risk

Cyclothymic Disorder

≥2 years

Key Symptoms

  • Hypomanic periods
  • Depressive periods
  • No major episodes
  • Symptoms >50% of time
  • No >2 month stable periods

DSM-5 Criteria

Chronic fluctuating mood without major episodes

Impairment: Clinically significant distress or impairment

Persistent Depressive Disorder

≥2 years

Key Symptoms

  • Chronic depressed mood
  • Poor appetite/overeating
  • Sleep problems
  • Low energy
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor concentration
  • Hopelessness

DSM-5 Criteria

Depressed mood + 2+ additional symptoms for ≥2 years

Impairment: Significant distress or impairment

Mood Temperaments

Lifelong traits

Cyclothymic Temperament

Mild mood swings, emotional sensitivity, mood instability

Hyperthymic Temperament

Habitually optimistic, high energy, confident, outgoing

Mood State Progression Pathways

12 months

Temperament to Disorder

Development from subclinical traits to clinical disorder

Bipolar Episodes

Sequence of manic and depressive episodes

Treatment Response

Timeline showing therapeutic intervention success