A mood disorders refer to a category of mental health problems that include all types of depression and bipolar disorder. (Wexner Medical Center)
Some symptoms include:
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persistent feelings of sadness
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feeling hopeless or helpless
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having low self-esteem
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feeling inadequate
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excessive guilt
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feelings of wanting to die
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loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed
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difficulty with relationships
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sleep disturbances (i.e., insomnia, hypersomnia)
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changes in appetite or weight
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decreased energy
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difficulty concentrating
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a decrease in the ability to make decisions
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suicidal thoughts or attempts
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frequent physical complaints (i.e., headache, stomach ache, fatigue)
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running away or threats of running away from home
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hypersensitivity to failure or rejection
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irritability, hostility, aggression
(Wexner Medical Center)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be because you have a mood disorder, if that’s the case, its okay. This is a guide to help you get through your everyday life without feeling crazy or unbalanced.

Step One: See a Professional
In some cases, a person’s mood changes could be more on the extreme side to where it’s affecting your everyday life. If this is the case, seeing a therapist could really help you out so you get an unbiased opinion and some help dealing with your issues. It doesn’t mean you are crazy, it simply means you have so much going on its unsafe to not seek help. There are group meetings you can attend or one on one session. You can choose what makes you the most comfortable.
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Locate a local organization that provides guidance for a reasonable price
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Call your insurance company to find out your options
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In some cases, the woman center offers free counseling if that applies to you

Step Two: Write a Journal
In some cases, you may not have someone you can go to and vent about what you’re going through or you just don’t want people to know. Either way, it’s okay, but you can’t keep everything bottled up inside because that wears on your body, leading to you becoming very ill or you having a mental break down and you completely snap. It’s important that you feel comfortable and writing a journal is a good way to do that because it’s for your eyes only and it gives you a way to let all the stress and agony out without you spilling your guts to someone.
How to write in your journal:
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Write whatever comes to mind, don’t plan it out
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Really write how you feel
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Include your moods
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Date each day so that you can see if you’re getting better or worse
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See a professional for further help

Step Three: Keep a Mood Chart
Mood charts are great when you don’t have enough time to sit down and write in a journal or when you don’t feel comfortable sharing with others. A mood chart is a chart with every day of the week and you simply put a smiley face, sad face, anxious face or angry face depending on the moods you had. You can put more than one face if you have experienced more than one mood. If you own a smart phone, there’s even aps where you can do this. Keeping a mood chart is a simple way to keep track of your mood. See a professional for more help.
Sunday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Monday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Tuesday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Wednesday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Thursday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Friday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry >:/
Anxious :O
Saturday
Happy (:
Sad ):
Angry>:/
Anxious :O
*Another thing you can do is put tally marks next to each emotions to keep track of how many times you experienced each mood a day.
*These moods can be changed to ones that better suit you; these are just an example of four moods that common amongst people.

Step Four: Think Positive
When you find yourself switching from one mood to another for no apparent reason(when you have gone from being happy to sad to angry and back again,) sit there and try to think of all the good things in your life and hopefully it’ll get better and you will remain happy appose to any other mood. It could be where you don’t even recognize you are switching moods, and if that’s the case try to recognize the mood change and when you notice it try to get back to a happy state. Here are some tips on thinking positively.
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Breathe easily
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Have a healthy diet because you tend to feel better when you eat good
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Think of your life goals and how excited you are for that
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Go to your happy place(somewhere that you feel completely relaxed and happy)
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Exercise because it’s a great stress reliever and you leave feeling great
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For more help, see a professional