Mood Disorders
Dallas Counseling for Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are a category of mental health problem. While many people go through sad or elated moods from time to time, people with mood disorders suffer from severe or
prolonged mood states that disrupt their daily functioning.
Types of Mood Disorders
- Major Depression – a two-week or longer period of a depressed or irritable mood or a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities, along with other signs of a mood disorder.
- Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) – alternating episodes of a depressed or irritable mood and manic (persistently elevated) mood.
- Dysthymia (dysthymic disorder) – a chronic, low-grade, depressed or irritable mood for at least one year.
- Mood disorder Due to a Medical Condition – many medical illnesses (including cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic medical illnesses) can trigger symptoms of depression.
- Substance Induced Mood Disorder – symptoms of depression that are due to the effects of medication, drug abuse, exposure to toxins, or other forms of treatment.
Symptoms of Mood Disorders
Each person may experience different symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- persistent feelings of sadness
- feeling hopeless or helpless
- having low self-esteem
- feeling inadequate
- excessive guilt
- feelings of wanting to die
- loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed
- difficulty with relationships
- sleep disturbances (i.e., insomnia, hypersomnia)
- changes in appetite or weight
- decreased energy
- difficulty concentrating
- decrease in the ability to make decisions
- suicidal thoughts or attempts
- frequent physical complaints (i.e., headache, stomach ache, fatigue)
- running away or threats of running away from home
- hypersensitivity to failure or rejection
- irritability, hostility, aggression
Treatment for mood disorders
Mood disorders can often be effectively treated. Treatment should always be based on a comprehensive evaluation. Treatment may include one, or more, of the following:
- antidepressant medications (especially when combined with psychotherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of depression)
- psychotherapy (most often cognitive-behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy that is focused on changing the individual’s distorted views of themselves and the environment around them, working through difficult relationships, and identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them)
- family therapy (families play a vital supportive role in any treatment process)
The Insights therapist who specializes in working with mood disorders is Jeff Baldridge. Call Insights Therapy today at 214.706.0508, click here to email us, or click here to schedule an appointment. Insights offers flexible scheduling with daytime, evening and weekend appointments.
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