What is Mood Disorder NOS?

Mood disorder not otherwise specified is more commonly known as Mood Disorder NOS. Mood Disorder NOS is a general term for any mood disorder that isn’t included under its own term in the DSM-IV. “NOS” is merely “not otherwise specified” abbreviated.

The DSM-IV is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Diagnostic codes from the DSM-IV are usually made use of to diagnose mood disorders.

Mood Disorder NOS serves as general term for labeling symptoms which don’t belong precisely to a well-defined diagnosis, but which clearly indicate that a person is dealing with a condition that’s a part of a specific category of diagnoses.

So if an individual has mood related symptoms but doesn’t show all  the criteria for any specific kind of mood disorder they might be diagnosed with Mood Disorder NOS or one of the more specific NOS diagnoses.

Mood disorder NOS DSM 5

The DSM-IV  “not otherwise specified” category has been replaced with the mood disorder NOS DSM-5 categories “other specified” and “unspecified” for indicating groups of symptoms that don’t fit precisely into another existing category.¹✅ JOURNAL REFERENCE
JAAPL: content/42/2/182

What is a mood disorder?

Mood disorders are mental disorders distinguished by mood disturbances that can affect all ages.

There are two general groups of mood disorders. These two groups are based on whether the individual has ever experienced a manic or hypomanic episode. Within these two groups are more specific disorders.

An adolescent or an adult can be affected by a Mood Disorder NOS. An example of mood disorder NOS could involve experiencing minor depression at irregular intervals in time.

The 2 most common Mood Disorder NOS categories are Bipolar Disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS.

Symptoms distribution in mood disorder NOS

Bipolar disorder NOS

Someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder NOS experiences bipolar symptoms like depression and mania. But they don’t meet the requirements for any of the specific criteria for a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Bipolar Disorder NOS Criteria

No specific criteria is required for a bipolar NOS diagnosis to be made. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does however provide examples:

If an individual has experienced alternating symptoms of mania or depression , but the episodes are not long enough for meeting the inclusion criteria.

If an individual has had multiple hypomania episodes but no episode of depression.

If an individual has had a manic or mixed episode after having had a previous diagnosis of either a psychotic or schizophrenia episode.

If an individual has experienced hypomania as well as depression, but the episodes are not long enough for qualifying as a cyclothymic disorder.

If an individual meets the bipolar disorder criteria, but there is concern that the symptoms might be a result of alcohol, recreational drugs, or a neurological disorder.

In the updated mood disorder NOS DSM-5 version, bipolar Disorder NOS becomes either “unspecified bipolar disorder”  or “other specified bipolar disorder”, depending on the symptoms of the patient.

Depressive disorder NOS

Someone diagnosed with depressive disorder NOS may have major depressive disorder or dysthymia symptoms, but they don’t meet the exact requirements for either one of those disorders. According to DSM-IV, a depressive disorder NOS diagnosis is applicable if the symptoms are not due to a stressful event.²✅ JOURNAL REFERENCE
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.12m08053

In the updated mood disorder NOS DSM-5 version, depressive disorder NOS becomes either “unspecified depressive disorder ”  or “other specified depressive disorder “, depending on the symptoms of the patient.

Prevalence of mood disorders

Mood disorder NOS treatment

Generally, treatment for Mood disorder NOS is like treatment for other types of mood disorders.

An individual diagnosed with a mood disorder NOS may receive medications, therapy, or usually a combination of both. The type of medication or therapy will more than likely depend on the predominant symptoms.

Someone with a depressive disorder NOS may be given a combination of medication and therapy for depression symptoms. Someone with bipolar Disorder NOS may receive a combination of treatment for symptoms of both depression and mania.

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