Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are the collective group of problems that chronically affect a person’s mental or emotional state. The most common of these disorders is known as clinical depression, but there are many different types of depression and other mood related illnesses. For some patients, periods of depression alternate with periods of mania in a condition known as bipolar disorder. Both depression and bipolar disorder can occur as a result of external stimuli or from the use of alcohol or other substances. For a person that thinks they may have one of the many mood disorders, the first step for treatment is to speak with a doctor about the various symptoms that the person is experiencing.

Because mood disorders are often confined to mental and emotional responses, a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can be difficult to attain. Most physicians will advise a combination of medical and cognitive therapy to identify if the disorder is related to a chemical imbalance or a psychological issue. The medical arm of a treatment program will often attend to the brain chemical issues that are often present in a person with a mood disorder, such as a lack of serotonin or dopamine. This is done with antidepressants and other medications that limit the reuptake of these chemicals.

For the cognitive therapy, the treatment will usually consist of a series of sessions with a psychologist. The doctor will ask questions in an attempt to change the behavior of the person in a way that improves the stability of their day to day mood. Most experts believe that a combination of medications and therapy will provide the best results to a person with a mood disorder as this type of treatment addresses both the symptoms and the underlying issues. Regular visits to the physician will be needed to monitor the effect of the medication to change the dosage level when necessary.