Mood Disorders

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders can cause extreme sadness (depression), anxiousness, and bipolar disorder — a condition that causes severe fluctuations between lows and highs. 

Treating mood disorders helps stabilize your mood and reduce complications linked to mood disorders. 

What are examples of mood disorders?

Examples of mood disorders include:

Depression

Depression causes severe or ongoing sad feelings, worthlessness, guilt, shame, hopelessness, or even thoughts of suicide. Versions of depression include postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression), and others. 

Anxiety, which isn’t technically a mood disorder, may appear with depression or other mood disorders.

Bipolar disorders

Bipolar disorders range from mild to severe, causing mood swings and sometimes erratic behavior. 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

PMDD is a mood disorder in women that appears 7-10 days before menstruation. It can cause irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. PMDD typically disappears within a few days of beginning menstruation.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

DMDD affects children and teenagers, causing frequent angry outbursts that are out of proportion to the actual situation. It often appears before age 10 and leads to frequent irritability and anger.

What are the risk factors for mood disorders?

Mood disorders affect kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Depression is more likely in women than in men. It affects 7% of adults in the United States, while bipolar disorder affects about 3% of adults. Approximately 15% of children and adolescents have mood disorders. Risk factors include a family history of mood disorders, brain changes, stressful or traumatic life events, and chronic medical conditions.

How are mood disorders diagnosed?

The Safe Harbor Psychiatry team diagnoses mood disorders and other mental health concerns after completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. They discuss your mood, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, medical history, medications, and lifestyle. 

Safe Harbor Psychiatry also offers genetic testing to determine effective medicines for you. Your tailored treatment plan provides exceptional outcomes. 

How are mood disorders treated?

Treating mood disorders typically consists of making lifestyle changes, undergoing therapy, and taking medications if necessary. You might meet with your therapist weekly by yourself or as a couple or family. 

Safe Harbor Psychiatry offers psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other therapies that help you overcome debilitating mood swings, depression, or anxiety.

Call the office or book an appointment online today to schedule an in-person or telehealth mood disorder evaluation at Safe Harbor Psychiatry.