Mood disorders

Orange County Mental Health Treatment

Mood disorders can have a substantial impact on every area of a person’s life. Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood-related conditions can have a substantial impact on a patient’s ability to function normally, including completing work tasks or even engaging in things that would typically bring them joy. Receiving treatment for those mood disorders, on the other hand, can go a long way toward helping many patients feel like themselves again.

What are Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders are conditions that cause emotional state, or mood, to fall out of sync with circumstances. For example, patients may feel extremely sad even though life circumstances do not seem to give the patient a reason for that sadness. Those emotions can interfere with work, relationships, and more. Furthermore, many patients with mood disorders struggle with a higher risk of addictive behaviors.

These mental health disorders can be incredibly challenging. However, talking about specific conditions and symptoms with a professional can help. Finding the right treatment for each person’s specific needs is essential to manage symptoms of mood disorders.

Different Types of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders can fall into several categories. Symptoms may depend on the individual patient. People with mood disorders should consult with a mental health professional to learn more about their symptoms.

Depression occurs when a patient suffers from severe sadness or feelings of hopelessness and pessimism that impact their mood for at least two weeks. People who struggle with depression suffer from depressed mood and other symptoms.

Symptoms of depression may include the following:

Depression can also lead to symptoms like changes in sleep patterns, including excessive sleep or difficulty sleeping. Furthermore, patients suffering from major depressive disorder may have to deal with increased aches and pains, including headaches or stomach problems. Depression can also increase the risk that the patient will commit suicide.

Persistent depressive disorder can have several symptoms similar to depression. It can lead to overall low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness. In addition, it can make it very difficult to deal with daily activities, including continually feeling “down” or struggling with low energy.

Persistent depression can lead to changes in appetite, potentially including either lack of appetite or overeating. Patients with persistent depression may struggle with social situations or have a higher risk of growing annoyed or angry.

Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder often linger for years. Often, patients may feel as though they cannot shake those feelings of sadness or irritability despite considerable effort.

Bipolar disorder can lead to abrupt or unpredictable shifts in mood. Patients with bipolar disorder may suffer from periods of depression interspersed with periods of mania, during which they may suffer from elation or high levels of energy.

People with Bipolar I disorder may suffer from extreme manic episodes that last for at least 7 days and may lead to reckless or dangerous behavior. Bipolar II disorder has the same patterns but may lead to fewer extremes, which would mean that the patient might require treatment, but not necessarily hospitalization. Cyclothymic disorder may cause similar shifts in mood and behavior, but fewer extremes than classic bipolar disorder.

Patients with bipolar disorder may struggle to predict their mood and responses, which can make it very difficult for them to judge their future energy needs. Bipolar patients may have vastly different responses to the same general stimulus, depending on their mood and state at the time of a specific issue.

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Common Treatments for Mood Disorders

Treatment for mood disorders can vary depending on the patient’s unique symptoms. However, patients may find that several common treatments offer considerable advantages. Mood stabilization often requires a variety of treatment approaches.

Medication

Many patients find that medication can have a significant impact on their overall functioning when they suffer from a mood disorder. Finding the right combination of medications, under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional, can go a long way toward helping patients address those symptoms.

Individual Therapy

Counseling and psychotherapy programs for individuals can help provide patients with the tools they may need to overcome symptoms of common mood disorders. Often, therapists can provide patients with the tools they need to help deal with those episodes, whether it means cognitive behavioral therapy methods that can help them address the root of those common issues or talk therapy to help address underlying trauma and manage those symptoms.

Individual therapy can help many patients learn how to cope with their symptoms and even, in many cases, alleviate some of those symptoms.

Family Therapy

Patients with severe symptoms of mood disorders may benefit from family therapy. Not only does family therapy help provide patients with tools that can help them cope within their current family structure and environment, but it can also provide tools that may help families cope more effectively with their loved one’s symptoms.

Mood disorders often have a significant impact on the entire family. Not only do patients themselves have to deal with those symptoms, but family members may also have to cope with highs and lows or deal with irritability and other challenges in loved ones. Family therapy can help address those common concerns.

Group Therapy

During group therapy sessions, patients with mood disorders have the chance to talk with others who may experience similar symptoms. Often, group therapy can help provide patients with critical coping mechanisms. Group therapy sessions let patients know that they are not alone and give them more information about strategies that have worked for other patients in similar circumstances. Furthermore, group therapy sessions help patients reach outside themselves and give them something to focus on.

Finding the right combination of therapy and medications can help many patients with mood disorders develop higher levels of functioning and improve symptoms of those disorders.

Looking for Help

Dealing with mood disorders can mean several extreme symptoms for many patients. Both depression and bipolar disorder can lead to extreme symptoms that may lead to difficulty with everyday functioning. Patients with these disorders may benefit from a variety of treatment methods and support. At First Light Recovery, patients will find support for a variety of severe mental health orders.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help patients achieve higher levels of functioning in their everyday lives.