Mood disorders are among the most commonly diagnosed mental health issues in the world [1]. However, they are often conflated with personality disorders, a far rarer type of mental health condition [2]. While the two types of illnesses share some similarities, there are significant differences between mood and personality disorders.
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that involve dysfunctional emotional regulation or experiences. On the other hand, personality disorders focus on behaviors, thinking patterns, and interpersonal interactions. While most people with mood disorders do not have a personality disorder, many personality disorders have high comorbidity, or co-diagnosis, with mood disorders [3].
An overview of mood disorders
Mood disorders fall into two categories: depressive and bipolar disorders. The most common symptoms of mood disorders include persistent feelings of sadness, low energy, irritable mood, and suicidal ideation.
Bipolar disorders alternate between depression and mania, a state of high mood, low inhibition, and risky behaviors. Symptoms can range from mild to highly severe. Mood disorders are caused by several factors, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle [4].
Mood disorders tend to appear episodically. Treatments focus on reducing episodes and mitigating symptoms. Mood disorders are not curable, so they need to be managed. Most people with depressive and bipolar disorders will experience recurring episodes. However, some people only experience a single depressive episode and do not require further treatment [5].
An overview of personality disorders
Personality disorders are a defined set of thinking and behavior patterns that are outside of cultural norms and inhibit an individual’s ability to function. The disordered behavior emerges in late adolescence and remains unchanged throughout an individual’s lifetime. Treatment can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of depression [6].
Personality disorders have three distinct categories.
Characteristics vary widely by cluster, but people with personality disorders generally have difficulty with emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.
While personality disorders can present on a spectrum, exhibiting one or two traits is not enough to be diagnosed with a personality disorder. The symptoms must be pervasive, consistent, and not due to external circumstances.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the differences between mood and personality disorders.
Mood vs. Personality Disorder Types
Mood disorders fall into two types: depressive and bipolar disorders. Each type has several subcategories.
| Mood Disorders | |
|---|---|
| Depressive | Bipolar |
| Major Depressive Disorder — Pervasive, depressive symptoms last more than two weeks | Bipolar I — Depressive episode and at least one manic episode |
| Seasonal Affective Disorder — Depressive episodes follow a seasonal pattern | Bipolar II — Depressive episode and one episode of hypomania |
| Substance/medication-induced depressive disorder | Cyclothymic disorder — Alternating between depressive and hypomanic—like states over a two-year period |
| Depressive disorder due to medical condition | Substance/medication-induced bipolar disorder |
| Unspecified depressive disorder — Depressive symptoms are present but do not fit other criteria | Bipolar disorder due to medical condition |
| Unspecified bipolar disorder — Depressive or mania symptoms are present but do not fit other criteria | |
There are 10 identified personality disorders that are divided into three clusters, A, B, and C.
| Personality Disorders | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cluster A | Paranoid Personality Disorder | Extreme distrust and suspicion of others |
| Schizoid Personality Disorder | Lack of interest in interpersonal relationships, poor social and emotional skills | |
| Schizotypal Personality Disorder | Social anxiety, magical thinking, eccentric behaviors, and mannerisms | |
| Cluster B | Borderline Personality Disorder | Fear of abandonment, poor emotional regulation and impulse control, unstable relationships |
| Histrionic Personality Disorder | Attention-seeking, dramatic, poor social boundaries | |
| Narcissistic Personality Disorder | Sense of grandiosity, extreme self-centeredness, strong need for praise | |
| Antisocial Personality Disorder | Reckless and impulsive behavior, little concern for others, lack of remorse | |
| Cluster C | Dependent Personality Disorder | Extreme fear of disapproval, fear of being alone, clingy |
| Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (Not the same as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) | High level of perfectionism, overly rigid, hoarding tendencies, strong need to control people and situations | |
| Avoidant Personality Disorder | Oversensitivity, social anxiety and avoidance, feelings of inadequacy | |
Mood vs. Personality Disorder Prevalence
As mentioned before, mood disorders are very common. More than 5% of the world’s adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode. Bipolar disorder is slightly less common and affects 40 million worldwide [7].
Depression and bipolar disorder can also be side effects of medication and or chronic illnesses [8]. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a mood disorder triggered by hormonal changes preceding the menstrual cycle, affects 5% of women [9].
Personality disorders are much less prevalent. The most common, borderline personality disorder, affects just under 2% of the global population [10]. Antisocial personality disorder is the most common personality disorder among men, affecting up to 5% of the general male population in some countries [11].
People with personality disorders also have a higher risk of being diagnosed with a mood disorder. Nine out of 10 people with a borderline personality disorder will develop depression [12].
Mood vs. Personality Disorder Onset
Depressive mood disorders can appear at nearly any age. Children as young as three can develop depression, though it is rare [13]. Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed before an individual’s 25th birthday [14].
Conversely, personality disorders are rarely identified in individuals under 18. This is because their personality is still malleable. Further, some personality disorder traits are developmentally appropriate for children and adolescents. Young children often display self-centeredness and lack of empathy, clear signs of narcissistic personality disorder [15]. Even without an official diagnosis, children who demonstrate all the criteria of a personality disorder can benefit from early intervention treatments [16].
Unlike depressive disorders, personality disorders do not suddenly appear in older adults. Difficult periods such as the loss of a family member or financial instability, can trigger depression, but these events will not cause profound changes to an individual’s personality.
Mood vs. Personality Disorder Distress
Both mood and personality disorders can cause distress for the individual with the disorder. However, the interpretation of the distress for these disorders is distinct.
Mood disorders are egodystonic. This means that the individual with depression or bipolar disorder is aware of their symptoms, and the symptoms cause them distress [17].
For example, people with bipolar disorder are aware that their energetic highs and lows are causing difficulties in their lives. Depressive symptoms, such as insomnia and the inability to enjoy activities, are so distressing that most people will seek out help.
People diagnosed with personality disorders do not experience this type of distress. Instead, they may hold an egosyntonic view of their characteristics [18]. This means that they do not perceive their dysfunctional personality traits as a problem.
However, these traits can contribute to external distresses, such as conflict-filled relationships, job insecurity, or legal issues. People with personality disorders may not realize that their condition is the driver of their negative experiences.
Final Word
Both mood and personality disorders are serious mental health conditions that can greatly reduce an individual’s quality of life. However, the causes, prevalence, and onset of these disorders are very different. Treatment plans for both types of disorders include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
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[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2018). Personality Disorder | Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9636-personality-disorders-overview
[3] Van, H. L., & Kool, M. (2018). What we do, do not, and need to know about comorbid depression and personality disorders. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(10), 776–778. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30260-8
[4] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2019). Mood Disorders. Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
[5] APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/single-episode-depression
[6] Robitz, R. (2013). What Are Personality Disorders? Psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders
[7] World Health Organisation. (2021, September 13). Depression. World Health Organization; World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
[8] DiMaria, L. (2011, April 29). The Various Types of Mood Disorders. Verywell Mind; Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/mood-disorder-1067175
[9] OASH – Office on Women’s Health. (2018, March 16). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Womenshealth.gov. https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd
[10] Chapman, J., Jamil, R. T., & Fleisher, C. (2022, May 2). Borderline Personality Disorder. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430883/#article-27054.s15
[11] Werner KB, Few LR, Bucholz KK. Epidemiology, Comorbidity, and Behavioral Genetics of Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy. Psychiatr Ann. 2015 Apr;45(4):195-199. doi: 10.3928/00485713-20150401-08. Epub 2015 Apr 1. PMID: 26594067; PMCID: PMC4649950.
[12] Fertuck, E.A., Karan, E. & Stanley, B. The specificity of mental pain in borderline personality disorder compared to depressive disorders and healthy controls. bord personal disord emot dysregul 3, 2 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-016-0036-2
[13] raisingchildren.net.au. (2022, April 29). Depression in children: 3-5 years. Raising Children Network. https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/health-daily-care/preschoolers-mental-health-concerns/depression-in-children-3-5-years
[14] NYU Langone Health. (n.d.). Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder. Nyulangone.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://nyulangone.org/conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis
[15] December 23, M. B., & 2021. (2021, December 23). How to Know If Your Kid Is a Narcissist—And What To Do About It. Parents. https://www.parents.com/kids/development/behavioral/how-to-know-if-your-kid-is-a-narcissist-and-what-to-do-about-it/
[16] REBECCA L. SHINER, & JENNIFER L. TACKETT. (2014). Children and adolescents differ strikingly in their. http://www.sakkyndig.com/psykologi/artvit/shiner2014.pdf
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[18] Hart, W., Tortoriello, G. K., & Richardson, K. (2018). Are personality disorder traits ego-syntonic or ego-dystonic? Revisiting the issue by considering functionality. Journal of Research in Personality, 76, 124–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.08.001
