Mood Disorder Treatment in New York, NY
Mood disorders are mental health conditions characterized by significant disturbances in a person’s emotional state. These can include depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and related mood imbalances that impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.
What Are the Main Types of Mood Disorder?
Though there are many different subtypes, the three major mood disorders include:
- Depressive – characterized by overall depressed mood. If you have depression, negativity can impact your whole being. You are may feel apathy, general discontent, loss of interest, mood swings, or overall sadness. In addition, you may have thoughts of suicide, problems sleeping, feel excessively irritable, socially isolated, and restless.
- Manic – characterized by elevated moods, high energy, and euphoria. You may find yourself talking rapidly, becoming regularly distracted, using poor judgment, acting on impulse, or making reckless decisions.
- Bipolar – cycling between both depressed and manic moods, also sometimes known as manic depression. If you have extreme periods of depression and mania, your sense of reality may be distorted.
These mood disorders can vary in intensity and severity, so there are other names for these disorders based on your symptoms.
Common symptoms of mood disorders include:
- Persistent sadness or irritability
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Fatigue or low energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings or episodes of mania/hypomania
What Causes Mood Disorders?
No one knows the exact causes of mood disorders, but a variety of factors seem to contribute and they tend to run in families.
Possible causes include:
- Specific genes
- Family history
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
- Early childhood experiences like
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Trauma
- Stressful life events like
- Death
- Divorce
- Trauma
- Job loss
- Financial problems
What is the Treatment for Mood Disorders?
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a popular treatment method of Mood Disorders. Common forms of treatment include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mood symptoms. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, teaching skills to manage stress, improve mood, and prevent relapse. - Psychodynamic Therapy:
Explores deeper emotional conflicts, relationship patterns, and past experiences that influence your mood. This approach supports insight, emotional healing, and lasting change. - Interpersonal Therapy (IPT):
Targets difficulties in relationships and social functioning that impact mood, helping improve communication and build stronger support networks.
In the last decades, psychotherapy has increasingly gained ground as a major treatment option for mood disorders. This therapeutic method can be implemented across a variety of mental illnesses, and its ultimate goal is to bring about improvements in your health. You can learn tools to use and strategies to cope with mood disorders when they occur.
Medication is also available as a treatment option for mood disorders and usually involves antidepressants and sedatives. These medications help to balance brain and body chemistry, prevent manic episodes, and curb the severity of symptoms. Talk to your doctor to see if medication is the best route for your mood disorder.
Take the First Step
It may be difficult to determine if your mood is just part of everyday life, or something more serious. If you have questions about your mood and possible mood disorder, it is best to seek help and advice from a professional.
If your mood is interfering with your family, work, or everyday life, you should seek professional help. Millions of people experience mood disorders and are successfully treated, helping them live a better quality of life.
If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Is your mood disorder impacting your quality of life?
Contact Park Psychological Services today to speak with one of our providers.