Mood instability: significance, definition and measurement

M R Broome; K E A Saunders; P J Harrison; S Marwaha

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.158543

Mood instability: significance, definition and measurement

Br J Psychiatry. 2015 Oct;207(4):283-5. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.158543.

Authors

M R Broome¹, K E A Saunders², P J Harrison², S Marwaha²

Affiliations

¹ M. R. Broome, PhD, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford and Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry; K. E. A. Saunders, DPhil, MRCPsych, P. J. Harrison, DM, FRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford; S. Marwaha, PhD, MRCPsych, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry and Early Intervention Service, Swanswell Point, Coventry, UK matthew.broome@psych.ox.ac.uk.
² M. R. Broome, PhD, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford and Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry; K. E. A. Saunders, DPhil, MRCPsych, P. J. Harrison, DM, FRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford; S. Marwaha, PhD, MRCPsych, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry and Early Intervention Service, Swanswell Point, Coventry, UK.

Abstract

Mood instability is common, and an important feature of several psychiatric disorders. We discuss the definition and measurement of mood instability, and review its prevalence, characteristics, neurobiological correlates and clinical implications. We suggest that mood instability has underappreciated transdiagnostic potential as an investigational and therapeutic target.

Publication types

Editorial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cognition*
Humans
Irritable Mood*
Mood Disorders / diagnosis*
Mood Disorders / therapy*

Grants and funding

102616/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom