What it means
The way a person feels inside over a period of time, such as sad, anxious, cheerful or irritable. In a mental status exam, mood is what the client reports ("I feel hopeless"), while affect is the emotion the nurse observes in the face, voice and body. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorderby-POH-ler dis-OR-derA mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.bi- twopol/o pole-ar having to do withFull entry , are long-lasting changes in mood that affect daily life.
For the nurse
Ask the client to describe their mood in their own words and record it in quotes; a 0 to 10 scale can track change. With a low mood, always ask directly about thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
In a chart
"Mood: 'I just feel empty.' Affect flat; denies suicidal thoughts."
At a glance
| Spanish | estado de ánimo |
|---|---|
| Also written | moods |
Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
mental status
A person's state of mind at a given time: how alert they are, what they know and how they think, speak and behave.
coping strategy
Anything a person does or thinks to manage stress, a problem or difficult feelings.
anxiolytic
A drug that relieves anxiety.