Mood Disorders

Moods fluctuate up and down during any given day — but when they are drastic changes in emotions it can cause problems and may require therapy to help control them.

The good news is that most mood disorders are manageable with proper treatment.

Psychologists are trained in a variety of different cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques to improve an individuals’ emotional state and work toward minimizing the severity of symptoms. If necessary, a psychiatrist may recommend mood-stabilizing drug options, in addition to recommending continued talk therapy.

What are the signs and symptoms of a mood disorder?

At the emotional level, someone may have a mood disorder when they have feelings of uncontrollable anxiety and sadness. They will also suffer from feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, pessimism and guilt often and are unable to control them. In severe cases, moods can take someone to a dark place in their mind where they begin to consider suicide or actually attempt to kill themselves — a situation that without a doubt requires professional help.

Some mood disorders can affect people physically. They are less energetic, sleep excessively and begin to notice a change in their diet — whether it is eating too much or not enough. Mood disorders are also affiliated with headaches, body aches, cramps, and digestive problems. This, in turn, causes cognitive issues such as difficulty remembering certain things, making decisions or concentrating on the task or issue at hand.

If you'd like to talk to someone about mood disorders, please contact us.