F38: Other mood [affective] disorders

Other mood [affective] disorders refer to a group of mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state. They are characterized by irregular, long-term, and severe fluctuations in mood that are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through. This group includes conditions which may not fit directly into other defined categories of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. They can be caused by a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Typical signs and symptoms may include sustained feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, or an abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. These mood changes can also impact physical health and can disturb daily function. Other mood disorders generally persist over time if not treated and can progressively affect social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning.