What We Treat

Mood Disorder Treatment in Los Angeles, Burbank, or Las Vegas

A mood disorder is a medical condition characterized by elevated and lowered moods.

Most people feel sad or irritable from time to time. They may say they’re in a bad mood. A mood disorder is different. It affects your everyday emotional state and disrupts your daily life.

What Are the Main Types of Mood Disorder?

Though there are many different subtypes, the three major mood disorders include:

Depressive – characterized by an overall depressed mood. If you have depression, negativity can impact your whole being. You 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.

How Common are Mood Disorders?

According to psycom.net, mood disorders have been found to affect about 20 percent of the population at any given time. Depression was reported in 17 percent of the population with bipolar affecting only one percent.

Mood disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat, so many continue to educate about the symptoms of mood disorders and the treatment available.

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 used by many mental health care providers.

In the last decades, psychotherapy has increasingly gained ground as a major treatment option for mood disorders.

First, it has found widespread acceptance in the treatment of acute depressive episodes; then, in recent years, its scope has expanded considerably to include bipolar disorder and chronic forms of depression.

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.

You can be taught about mood disorders and try to recognize patterns of behavior and thought. Psychotherapy is focused on changing thought patterns and behaviors.

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.

When should I see Psychiatry Unplugged for a Mood Disorder?

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.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose you by performing a physical exam and lab tests to rule out any physical reasons for your symptoms along with a psychiatric evaluation.

The first step is getting diagnosed and then you can find the answers you deserve. It can be difficult, especially for those with bipolar disorder, to recognize your emotional instability and how it is disrupting your life or those you love. Your cycles may go from euphoria and emotional crashes that leave you feeling worn out.

Depression can take its toll on your body, mind, and spirit. It can become a life-threatening condition if you do not seek help.

Often, psychotherapy or proper medication can make all the difference. Often, these conditions don’t just go away or get better on their own.

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 Psychiatry Unplugged today to speak with a mood disorder specialist in Los Angeles, Burbank, or Las Vegas. Give us a call at (844) 616-1616 for a consultation, or request an appointment through our secure online form.