Depression, Irritability, And Mood: Understanding The Connections

Medically reviewed by April Justice
Updated February 27, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Misunderstandings about depression and mood can make it seem that depression is a synonym for "sadness" or "feeling down." Although depression can be associated with sad feelings, the symptoms of depression are often more nuanced and can manifest differently for each person. 

For some, personality plays a significant role in how symptoms of depression come about, and for others, the cause of one's depression may play into how it is expressed. For others, a chemical imbalance can cause distressing and confusing biological symptoms. Understanding the connections between depression, irritability, mood, and personality may help you further understand how depression impacts you.

Are the symptoms of depression affecting you?

What is depression?

The term "depression" denotes a clinical condition diagnosable by a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional. It is an umbrella term for depressive disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). However, it may be most used to refer to major depressive disorder (MDD), also called clinical depression. A state of depression is not necessarily marked by despair or other forms of sadness; depression may also be marked by fury, despondence, or anxiety. 

Depression is a clinical state characterized by behavioral and biological alterations, including mood, hormone production, and self-control. Depression can occur because of a traumatic incident or unexpectedly without an inciting incident. However, for a diagnosis of MDD, the symptoms must have been experienced consistently for two weeks or longer.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The most common depressive symptoms include the following:

  • A prolonged low mood
  • Frustration
  • Helplessness
  • Restlessness
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Lethargy
  • Anxiety
  • Guilt
  • Brain fog

Depression can also cause physical symptoms like headaches or stomach upset. 

Irritability and depression

Some people may miss that irritability is a symptom of depression due to stigma about how it presents itself. However, irritability is a common symptom, especially for men. Persistent, prolonged, and unprovoked irritability can indicate a chemical imbalance or mood disorder. 

Irritability may be more prevalent in depression for certain personality types and in young adults whose hormone levels have not leveled out. People with a history of difficulty controlling emotions and dwelling on the past may also experience more irritability and anger as symptoms of depression. Although depression anger may be turned inward, some people reflect it outward toward others, including family, partners, and friends. 

Irritability and anger may require treatment and management as much as any other symptom, including sadness, loneliness, and isolation. If you experience irritability and anger in conjunction with other symptoms of depression, include these symptoms in developing your treatment plan alongside your therapist. 

Mood and depression 

Although manic, prolonged mood swings between low and high periods are more associated with bipolar disorder, depression can also involve difficulty controlling moods.  People with depression may rotate through a series of emotions seemingly without reason, which can be overwhelming and confusing. 

Some people experience depression as a long period of disinterest or apathy. For these individuals, depression can reduce their ability to enjoy activities, experience pleasure, and form connections. For others, depression may cycle between fury, guilt, sadness, and apathy. A mix of emotional upset may be a common manifestation of depression and could be a sign of co-occurring conditions, as well. 

It may be helpful to note that people with depression can still experience many natural human emotions, including joy, guilt, anger, shame, love, excitement, and sadness. However, positive emotions may occur less often if they arise. If you experience an emotional response to a situation where your response fits the facts, it may not be a sign of depression. For example, someone yelling at you in a store without reason may cause you to feel angry or fearful. However, if these emotions are prolonged and come on without apparent cause or are more severe than warranted, it could be a sign of depression. 

How is depression treated? 

Depression treatment often involves a mixture of talk therapy and pharmaceutical intervention. Talk therapy has demonstrated positive effects on the symptoms of depression and is the most widely known and widely used source of treatment for major and persistent depressive disorder (PDD). 

Pharmaceutical interventions come in the form of antidepressants. Although these are the most common forms of medicinal intervention, finding the right balance can take time and may require a collaborative effort between clients and doctors. Clients may be asked to monitor their responses to medication and deliver these responses to their physician to help them determine a healthy medication dosage and schedule. Consult your doctor before starting, changing, or stopping your medication. 

Alternative treatment options 

While talk therapy and antidepressants are the most common methods of treating depression, there are additional supplementary habits that may improve outcomes. For example, improving lifestyle and exercise habits may reduce symptoms' impact on daily functioning. Below are a few suggestions. 

Sleep hygiene habits and exercise 

Improving sleep by altering electronic usage near bedtime is often suggested, as is adding an exercise routine to your day. Ten to 20 minutes of steady exercise may mitigate some of the symptoms of depression, including psychomotor agitation that can sometimes be caused by depression, like pacing, obsessively biting nails, tapping objects, or skin picking. 

A healthy diet 

Diet alterations may also be suggested for clients. A diet high in sugar, fried foods, and highly processed foods has been linked to an increased likelihood of anxiety, depression, and other mood and neurological disorders. Eliminating these foods may alleviate some depressive symptoms. Changing your relationship with food may also be recommended, including not eating past certain times and ensuring you eat on a schedule. 

Supplements for depression 

Some herbal supplements may be linked to symptom reduction for those with depression. However, there are no formal governing bodies to ensure that supplements contain the substances they claim to contain, so take them cautiously and discuss their ingredients with your doctor. In addition, some herbal supplements interact with medications negatively.

Are the symptoms of depression affecting you?

Unique methods of therapy 

Depression affects mood and the body in a multitude of ways. Some people may find that their ability to control their emotions and experiences is drastically reduced when living with depression. If you are experiencing these symptoms, therapy may help you develop healthier routines and coping mechanisms to ease some of the stress of irritability and mood swings. 

Some individuals with depression may find online cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) helpful in managing their symptoms. Online CBT has been proven to be as effective as in-person CBT in treating mental health conditions. Online platforms like BetterHelp can provide affordable connection to over 30,000 therapists. You can also choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions, which may be beneficial if you struggle to get out of bed some days.

Takeaway

Depression is a condition that can affect multiple facets of life. Whether its symptoms come in the form of apathy and sadness or irritability and anger, depression is treatable. Consider contacting a licensed therapist for further guidance and support as you navigate these mood changes and symptoms.
Depression is treatable, and you're not alone
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