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What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect your thoughts, mood, emotions, and behavior patterns. mentalHope Psychiatry specializes in treating all forms of mood disorders, including:

Depression

Depression causes you to feel extremely or constantly sad. It might come and go or be constant.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder causes severe mood fluctuations ranging from overjoyed (mania) to very sad (depression).

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a milder, longer-lasting form of depression.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

PMDD is a type of mood disorder that appears 7-10 days before menstruation in women.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

DMDD is characterized by frequent irritability and angry outbursts; it often affects children and teenagers.

While mood disorders are common, they tend to dramatically reduce your ability to thrive in school, at work, or in social situations.

What are the symptoms of mood disorders?

The hallmark symptoms of mood disorders include:

  • Severe or ongoing sadness
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Feeling hopeless, helpless, and/or worthless
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
  • Thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation)
  • Impulsive decisions
  • Being overly talkative or very quiet
  • Being very happy cycled with extreme sadness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Trouble concentrating
  • High energy cycled with extreme fatigue

See the mentalHope Psychiatry experts at the first sign of a mood disorder to eliminate worrisome symptoms and the risk of crippling complications.

What increases the risk of mood disorders?

The cause of mood disorders isn’t entirely clear, but potential risk factors include a family history of mood disorders, genetics, brain chemistry changes, and environmental factors. Examples include stress, trauma, childhood abuse, and chronic illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, or diabetes.

Do I have a mood disorder?

To establish if you have a mood disorder or another mental health condition, a mentalHope Psychiatry provider discusses your medical history, mood, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyle. They ask about the medications you take and develop a personalized treatment plan that maximizes physical and mental health outcomes.

How are mood disorders treated?

Treating mood disorders at mentalHope Psychiatry typically includes:

  • Medication management
  • Psychotherapy 
  • Lifestyle counseling

Your provider tailors a treatment plan based on your specific needs and prioritizes holistic, integrative solutions whenever possible. Examples include diet, exercise, stress reduction, and sleep.

mentalHope Psychiatry provides continuous follow-up care, encourages family involvement every step of the way, and offers supportive therapy to develop coping methods that improve your emotional situation.

Schedule a telehealth mental health evaluation at mentalHope Psychiatry online today for an evaluation.