When a person you care about—including yourself—is having an emotionally difficult time, it’s natural to assume the low period will pass on its own. However, that’s not always the case. Changes in mood or behavior may be indicators of a mood disorder. Fortunately, mood disorder treatment is effective and available.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a mood disorder will help you recognize when someone is in need of professional help. To learn more about mood disorder signs and treatment options, contact Promises at 844.875.5609.
What Is a Mood Disorder?
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect an individual’s state of mind and ability to function on a daily basis. There are several different types of mood disorders. The most well-known is major depression. Other common mood disorders include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance-induced mood disorder
- Dysthymia (chronic low-grade depression lasting for at least two years)
- Mood disorders related to other health conditions, such as cancer or chronic pain
Mood disorders can be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, genetics, or life events such as divorce or the loss of a loved one.
Anyone can develop a mood disorder. If your siblings or parents have been diagnosed with one, you have a greater risk of getting the same diagnosis. Women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with depression than men.
Recognizing Mood Disorder Symptoms
The exact symptoms of a mood disorder vary and depend on which disorder a person has. In general, some of the most common signs of a mood disorder include:
- Inability to make decisions
- Decreased energy
- Excessive guilt
- Feeling worthless, inadequate, or like a failure
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling hopeless
- Ongoing sadness or anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Changes in sleeping patterns, insomnia, or sleeping too much
- Trouble focusing
- Hostility or aggression
- Thoughts or threats of suicide
If you or someone you know is having suicidal ideation, seek medical help right away. Call 911 if the threat is immediate, and stay with the person until help arrives.
Everyone has a bad day once in a while or feels depressed for a short time. An occasional low mood is part of life. However, mood disorders are serious conditions that need treatment. Mood disorder symptoms are considered problematic if they have continued for at least two weeks.
Mood Disorder Treatment Options
If you’re experiencing the signs of a mood disorder, the next step is to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and then begin treatment. The good news is that many effective treatments can help you improve your quality of life.
Mood-stabilizing and antidepressant medications may be recommended. Finding the right combination of medications can take time, but these medicines are effective, especially when combined with therapy.
Psychotherapy, especially dialectical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help people change negative views of themselves and their environments.
Group therapy provides clients with an opportunity to receive feedback from peers and build a support network. Family therapy may be recommended when the client’s disorder has had a negative impact on the family unit. This is often the case when a mood disorder is co-occurring with a substance use disorder.
Schedule an Appointment at Promises for Mood Disorder Treatment
Noticing mood disorder signs is the first step to feeling better. If you or a loved one has been experiencing low self-esteem, unexplained feelings of guilt, or depression and hopelessness for at least two weeks, a mood disorder may be the cause. Ignoring mental health concerns won’t make them go away.
Help is just a phone call away. Don’t suffer in silence. Contact Promises today at 844.875.5609 or use our online contact form if someone in your life could benefit from a compassionate mood disorder treatment program.