Mood

A mood is a relatively stable and long-lasting affective state, a complex psychic state differing from the individual's normal condition. It typically lasts for some hours or days but may be much shorter. As well as a cognitive component (narrowing of mental content, alteration of some aspects of thinking) and a behavioural component, there is an affective component, in that the emotions are involved. By expressing a complex mixture of affects in a regulated way, a mood defends against potentially overwhelming discharge of these affects while allowing them some expression. While experiencing a mood there is a compromising of the ability to assess and deal with reality - impressions are coloured so that the individual may feel worthless and unappreciated or powerful and optimistic. A mood tends to be confirmed and extended because focus on internal and external impressions is restricted to those reinforcing the mood; similarly, behaviour while experiencing the mood affects others' responses in such a way as to reinforce the mood.