The difference between mood disorders and personality disorders

One of the first and most important steps on a mental health journey is receiving an accurate diagnosis from a mental health professional. Different mental health conditions require different forms of treatment, and your provider needs a clear understanding of your symptoms to provide the most effective care. 

But human beings are complex, and sometimes, the diagnostic process can get a little complicated. One reason for this is that some conditions, like mood disorders and personality disorders, have similar symptoms. 

What are personality disorders?

Personality disorders are serious mental health conditions that impact the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. These conditions can cause a person to think, do, and say things that go against the expectations of their culture. For this reason, they can have a negative impact on their ability to function and form healthy relationships. There are 10 different personality disorders, and they’re organized into clusters that share similar features. 

• Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. These conditions are known to cause odd or eccentric behavior and mistrust of other people.
• Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. People living with these conditions may have trouble connecting with others and often display emotional extremes. 
• Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, which is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These conditions cause anxiety, fear of rejection, submissiveness, and perfectionist tendencies. 

Personality disorder symptoms 

While each personality disorder has a unique set of features, they often share some common symptoms, including:

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Worry and anxiety
• Problems with reactivity or anger
• Feeling empty and disconnected from others
• An inability to feel or name emotions
• Odd or eccentric behavior
• A tendency to avoid certain people, places, or things
• Trouble maintaining close relationships with friends and loved ones
• Episodes of losing touch with reality
• Difficulty understanding or interpreting the intentions of others

What causes personality disorders?

We don’t yet have a full understanding of what causes personality disorders. But researchers have identified some underlying factors that might make a person more likely to develop one. 

• Genetics: There is some evidence to suggest that personality disorders might be something you can inherit. So having a first-degree relative, like a sibling or parent, with a personality disorder might increase your risk. 
• Environment: While genetics may play a role in personality disorders, your life experiences can increase your risk as well. For example, experiencing things like abuse, neglect, or other forms of early childhood trauma may lead to the onset of a personality disorder.
• Personality traits: If you have an intense need to avoid or engage in something that could harm you or if you have trouble controlling your impulses, you may be more likely to develop a personality disorder. 

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by severe changes in mood. These mood changes can negatively impact a person’s ability to function in their daily life. 

Mood disorder symptoms

The most pronounced symptom of all mood disorders is a change in mood that impacts a person’s quality of life in significant ways. But like personality disorders, there are several different types of mood disorders, and each has unique symptoms. Some of the most common mood disorders include:

• Major depression: This condition causes a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy and extreme feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Major depression can also cause a loss of motivation and energy. These symptoms last for two weeks or longer. 
• Dysthymia: This mood disorder results in a constant, low-level depressive state or irritable mood that lasts for at least two years. 
• Bipolar disorder: There are a few types of bipolar disorder, and they all cause a person to alternate between depressive states and manic episodes. 
• Mood disorders related to other health conditions: Some health conditions — like cancer,  chronic illness, and infections — can cause a person to develop symptoms of depression.
• Substance-induced mood disorder: Certain substances — like alcohol, medication, and illicit drugs — can affect your mood and cause symptoms of depression.

What causes mood disorders?

Like other mental health conditions, there are certain biological, environmental, and psychological factors that might increase the odds that someone develops a mood disorder.

• Biology: People diagnosed with mood disorders often have abnormalities in the areas of the brain called the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. These areas are responsible for controlling emotions. 
• Environment: Going through a traumatic or acutely stressful event could lead to the onset of a mood disorder, especially depression. This could include the unexpected loss of a loved one; a natural disaster or accident; or being a survivor of abuse, neglect, or bullying. 
• Genetics: Having a first-degree relative (like a sibling or parent) with a mood disorder or other mental health condition might increase your risk. 

Comparing mood disorders and personality disorders

Mood and personality disorders share some common features that can make it challenging to tell the difference between the two. That’s why it’s always best to seek a professional evaluation. But the following signs and symptoms could indicate the presence of either a personality disorder, mood disorder, or both. 

• A loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Isolation or social withdrawal (preferring to spend time alone)
• Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
• Short temper, anger problems, or irritability toward others
• Low self-esteem
• Problems maintaining healthy relationships
• An interruption in functioning and quality of life

One of the key differences between mood and personality disorders is that, with mood disorders, there tends to be an inward focus. Personality disorders, on the other hand, tend to have a greater impact on the way a person engages with others and the world around them.  

Mood disorders can cause feelings of sadness, depression, or energized euphoria. But mood disorders are not known to cause the fear, paranoia, or antisocial tendencies associated with personality disorders. 

Professionals also diagnose personality disorders less frequently than mood disorders. Research estimates that about 9% of U.S. adults have a personality disorder. That’s compared to the 21.4% of U.S. adults who have a mood disorder. 

Both mood disorders and personality disorders are often treated with therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT is especially helpful for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD). Depending on your symptoms, a provider may also suggest a series of lifestyle changes or medications to manage your condition. There are no medications that are specifically licensed to treat personality disorders. But some of the medications used to treat mood disorders may help if a person is experiencing anxiety, depression, or psychosis. 

Find help with Rula

If you’re concerned that you or someone close to you might be living with a personality or mood disorder, know that you don’t need to decide on a diagnosis before you ask for help. These two categories of mental health conditions share some common features that can make identifying which one you have a bit tricky. But you don’t have to navigate it on your own. 

At Rula, we can connect you with a therapist and, if needed, a psychiatrist. These providers can assess you to ensure that you receive the right care for your mental health needs. Plus, our therapist-matching program makes it easy to find a provider who takes insurance so that you can begin receiving support as early as this week. 

Find help with Rula