It is defined as the attitude or emotional disposition that we possess. It represents our inner state, which unlike feelings and emotions, which can be very changeable, the mood lasts much longer, with a less frequent change process.
In other words, the state of mind represents the mood or sentimental tone that a person has at times we determine, which as its name indicates is a state, that is, a way of being.
This, unlike emotions and feelings, is much less precise, it is not activated by some stimulus or eventuality, it is less intense and more durable.
The variability of the state of mind is summarized to good state and bad state, it can be in an activated or depressed state. When the mood stays abnormally high it is called hyperthymia or mania and when it stays abnormally low it is known as dysthymia or depression.
On the other hand, when the mood changes without generating any type of emotional difficulty in the person and maintains a state of balance, it is called euthymia, while in cases where the person suffers very frequent mood changes between both extremes, that is,, mania and depression, is known as bipolar affective disorder.
The mood can last for hours or days, corresponding to a usual or normal change in mood. When one type of mood is maintained or lasts over time, it will represent the dominant mood or the fundamental state of mind.
From that pleasant or unpleasant state of mind, a predisposition to certain emotions or feelings can be generated, although these are mainly presented by external stimuli.
Robert Thayer, internationally recognized psychologist for his research on human mood, defined it as a relationship between two variables: energy and tension. According to his theory, the state of mind is located between an energetic state (tired or active) and a state referred to the level of nervousness (calm or tense), considering the "best state" to be calm-energetic and the "worst", to tense-tired state.
In that sense, mood or state of mind changes are shaped according to the level of satisfaction of the individual regarding instinctual needs (hunger, sleep, thirst, sexuality), social (marital, family, work) and / or cultural (vacations, leisure). They also recommend physical exercise.
A person with a changing state of mind or who is at an extreme, without being able to locate the balance can hinder their social, family and work development, since others cannot understand it.
