I am realizing I cannot always tell when I am just having emotional issues and when I am having mood issues, perhaps causing an emotional issue. Like it's hard to tell if I am sad or depressed sometimes, and it's hard to tell if I am in an irritable mood or irritable because of emotions I am feeling. I know how long you experience the feeling is sometimes discussed as the differentiation, yet I think situationally I could feel sad about something for a long time without it being my typical depression. In a way I think it doesn't matter that much. Because moods distort my thinking, though, sometimes it's helpful to realize it's that. I guess it's important to recognize what you are feeling regardless of the issue.

Anyone else have this issue telling apart mood and emotions? How do you tell which you are feeling? How important is it, in your opinion or experience to differentiate? (Don't feel you have to respond to all those questions unless you'd like to).