Understanding Mood Disorders
Mood disorders can carry stigma, and some people believe that getting over a mood disorder means simply snapping out of it.
However, mood disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect your quality of life and include such symptoms as loss of interest in normal activities and even suicidal thoughts.
Adults who reported poor mental health for over half of the previous month increased from 9.7% in 2007 to 12.3% in 2020.
If left untreated, mental disorders like major depressive disorder or bipolar II disorder will often get worse and lead to other health problems.
But treatment through psychiatry, talk therapy, and other treatment options makes all the difference. At Mark Behavioral Health, people in Florida receive compassionate care from our qualified providers that enables them to manage a mood disorder in positive ways.
Symptoms of Mood Disorders
Symptoms of mood disorders differ depending on whether you are facing bipolar disorder or depression.
Types of depression tend to vary according to length and what causes it, but the general symptoms remain the same.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Unexplained and prolonged sadness
- Changes in appetite
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be fun
- Low energy
- Pessimism
- Irritability
- Thoughts of suicide
Similarly, types of bipolar disorder vary according to severity and duration, but symptoms remain the same and fall into two categories: Depressive and manic.
Depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder include those listed above for depression, while symptoms of the manic episodes include:
- Exaggerated self-confidence and optimism
- Excessively irritable
- Aggression
- Recklessness
- Impulsiveness
- Racing thoughts and speech
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, reach out to Mark Behavioral Health today. We can help you understand what you are experiencing and get you started on treatment.
Causes & Risk Factors of Mood Disorders
While mental health disorders are medical conditions, they differ from physical ailments in this respect: there is often no single cause of mental illness.
Mood disorders can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, and adults. Sometimes there is no clear cause of the disorder. However, there are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of an occurrence of a mood disorder.
Risk factors for mood disorders include:
- Family history of mental illness
- History of substance abuse of a substance use disorder
- Experiencing a traumatic event
- Brain structure and genetics
An additional risk factor for bipolar disorder is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, which can increase the risk of bipolar disorder and decrease the viability of treatment.
But with treatment at Mark Behavioral Health, you can overcome the negative effects of what you have experienced and find positive and healthy ways to cope.
Types of Mood Disorders
There are different types of mood disorders within the categories of depression and bipolar disorder. Types of mood disorders differ in terms of duration, severity, and some symptoms.
Major Depression
Major depressive disorder is a recurrent form of depression that can affect people once a month, once a year, or several times throughout their life.
An episode of major depression is defined as having five or more symptoms of depression for a period of at least two weeks. Major depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness in the U.S.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is broken down into two categories: Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder. Bipolar I Disorder is defined by symptoms of depression with one or more manic episodes or drastic mood changes.
Bipolar II Disorder is characterized as having at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania is a less extreme high than those that people experience who have Bipolar I.
Dysthymia
Also called persistent depressive disorder, recurring episodes do not characterize dysthymia, but rather a persistent level of depression.
People suffering from dysthymia can have symptoms for years without a break. And while this form of depression is difficult to treat, you can find help for it at Mark Behavioral Health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder with symptoms and an episodic nature similar to major depressive disorder.
However, the onset of SAD is brought about by seasonal changes. The most common form of SAD begins in late fall and early winter. Though forms of this disorder are linked to summer, their occurrence is rare.
Other Mood Disorders
Other types of mood disorders can affect people in South Florida. As with the others, these disorders tend to be grouped around depression or bipolar disorder.
Other mood disorders include:
- Postpartum depression: This form of depression is related to pregnancy and is now often called perinatal depression, because it can occur around all periods of pregnancy.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): PMDD is a severe form of PMS that can include depression and suicidal ideation.
- Depression with psychosis: Psychotic depression includes hallucinations and delusions.
- Treatment-resistant depression: This form of depression is diagnosed when at least two different antidepressants fail to alleviate the symptoms.
- Cyclothymic disorder: Also called cyclothymia, this is a milder form of bipolar disorder, though the episodes are more frequent.
At Mark Behavioral Health, our providers are highly knowledgeable about mood disorders and are able to help you discover which mood disorder is affecting you and the best treatment for it.
Effects of Untreated Mood Disorders
If you do not seek treatment for a mood disorder, you could have serious medical and sociological complications that could impact your health and relationships.
But you don’t have to continue to suffer the effects of a mood disorder. Reach out to Mark Behavioral Health to learn more about how you can start treatment today.
Complications from leaving bipolar disorder untreated include:
- Poor performance at school or work
- Financial trouble
- Relational strife with family members
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Suicide
Additionally, complications of leaving depression untreated include:
- Weight gain and a risk of heart disease and diabetes
- Physical pain or illness
- Isolation
- Self-mutilation
- Premature death from medical complications
- Suicide
Diagnosing Mood Disorders
Diagnosing a mood disorder comes down to the type, severity, and duration of symptoms.
Diagnosis can be difficult at times, because mood disorders can share some symptoms with a specific personality disorder or with anxiety disorders. These disorders can also co-occur.
It takes a mental health professional to correctly diagnose a mood disorder. Reach out to Mark Behavioral Health to begin treatment with a correct diagnosis.
The diagnostic process can involve a physical examination, a mental health history, and blood work if a physician or mental health professional feels that it is warranted.
Treatment for Mood Disorders at Mark Behavioral Health
At Mark Behavioral Health, we offer many treatment options for mood disorders for you or your loved one.
When you first arrive at Mark Behavioral Health, we help you develop a treatment plan that can include inpatient care, medication, and therapy.
We are also able to offer other therapies like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Residential Programs
Mark Behavioral Health provides inpatient, residential treatment for people who need extended care to get their life on track due to a mood disorder.
Our residential program involves staying at our South Florida mental health treatment center for a period of time. While here, you will undergo therapy, take part in support groups, receive your medication, and connect with qualified mental health professionals.
You will focus daily on learning coping mechanisms and strategies to help you get to the roots of your mood disorder and target symptoms. The end goal is helping you manage the disorder on your own and enter recovery on your terms.
Medication Management
Medication management involves monitoring your medication to be sure that you are receiving the right dosage. A healthcare provider will keep track of your symptoms and watch for possible side effects that may adversely affect your mood, energy levels, or cognitive function.
There are a variety of antidepressant medications for depression and mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder. If one doesn’t work, a provider can help you find a different medication.
Medication for mood disorders include:
- Antidepressants: Providers typically prescribe from two classes of antidepressants, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), for depression.
- Antipsychotics: These are used for depression with psychosis.
- Mood stabilizers: These include medications like lithium for bipolar disorder.
Psychotherapy & Support Groups
Another first-line treatment for mood disorders is talk therapy or psychotherapy. One of the most common types of therapy for mental health disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT helps you discover the ways in which negative thought patterns contribute to the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, or other mood disorders.
Other forms of therapy include group therapy and family therapy to help you begin to work on relationships that may be suffering.
Mark Behavioral Health also recognizes the importance of support groups as a way for people to help each other through the challenges of managing a mood disorder.
Balance Mood Disorders with Targeted Care at Mark Behavioral Health
You don’t have to suffer from a mood disorder. At Mark Behavioral Health, we accurately diagnose your mental health condition so we can apply specific, results-based treatment.
Our highly trained mental health professionals are invested in seeing you get better. We also want to give you all the tools you need to be able to manage your condition.
If you are facing depression, bipolar disorder, or some other mood disorder, you can start treatment today. Give us a call to learn more about how you can take back your life.