I have come to realize that there is a big difference between the two. before I would not be able to tell the difference, but now it's as obvious as night and day. My moods are stable... but my emotions are blowing all over the place! This is really killing me. I'm writing instead of giving up. right now my mood is dropping into depression, but my emotions are knotting themselves together.... lost and without a cause. I don't know how to cope with this happening. At least I can describe it now, thanks to James(dubblemonkey).

[polar_bear1]

I hear you.. I used to have a hard time finding the difference between the two. But now, dealing with anxiety and panic attacks I look carefully at every trigger. Emotional trigger is sooo clear to me now. Agressive talk from someone totally triggers me into panic. Still my mood is subtile, calm, well most of the time.
I try to cope with getting rid of stressors/triggers like sertain people. Just chose not to let them trigger me. And surround me with ppl who are calm and understanding.
i.e. daughter hugs me, makes me laugh- feels wonderful though my mood is a bit depressed.
Take care and try diferent coping methods. Recomend CBT.