Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Treating Mood Disorders - Depression and Mood Disorder Treatment
Treating Mood Disorders - Depression and Mood Disorder Treatment
com)
If you struggle to find that balance, or if your attitude and emotional state are
incongruent with your current circumstances, you might be suffering from a mood
disorder. As many as one in 10 adults suffer from mood disorders, but effective
treatments involving mental health counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication
and lifestyle alteration are available.
Mood disorders take many forms and may include:
Chronic lowlevel depression
Major depressive disorder
Mania or bipolar disorder
Substancerelated depression issues
The primary cause of mood disorders (http://www.psychguides.com/guides/mooddisordersymptomscausesandeffect/)
appears to lie in an imbalance of brain chemicals that affect mood. Noradrenaline and serotonin irregularities are linked to
depression and bipolar issues. Disruptions in dopamine production can result in severe disorders including psychosis and
schizophrenia.
Anxiety Disorder?
Ask Top Doctors for Free. Get Answers instantly.
Researchers also believe there’s a strong genetic component to mood disorders. Bipolar disorders
(http://www.psychguides.com/guides/bipolardisorders/), in particular, appear to run in families.
Mood disorders can be treated effectively. There are a number of factors you and your doctor should use to determine the best
approach. Considerations include:
Your health, age and medical history
Severity of your condition
Specific type of mood disorder you are suffering from
Procedural or medication tolerances and intolerances
Your expectations and personal preferences
Family and friends can play a supporting role in your treatment, but it is vital that you receive the dedicated care of a qualified
mental health professional. To learn more about treatment methods, call 18557191601.
Your doctor will likely employ a combination of techniques to treat you for your mood disorder. Depending upon your case
specifics, these strategies are likely to include psychotherapy, antidepressant drugs, family therapy and holistic lifestyle
programs.
The goal of your therapy is to help you come to grips with your underlying mental issues, restore proper brain chemistry and
find ways you can alleviate stress in your daytoday life. Both inpatient and outpatient treatment options are available,
depending upon the severity of your condition and your physical circumstances.
Most likely your therapist will employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment combines established cognitive and
behavioral theories into one method that focuses on your actions and behaviors. You’ll learn to recognize distorted or self
defeating thought patterns, and then actively work to replace them with healthier beliefs.
With the help of a therapist, the patient is able to uncover unhealthy, negative beliefs and patterns such as:
Blackandwhite thinking patterns
Generalizing all situations with a negative bias
Exaggeration of circumstances
Forming snap conclusions based on emotion
Overlooking the positive side of situations
Assuming the worst is about to happen
People with mood disorders often believe they have to live up to some sort of invented standards to fit in or receive the
approval of others. CBT can help overcome that mistaken fear. Have you worried that you can’t live well unless you are
successful, liked and appreciated? If so, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you.
This type of approach is particularly effective for depression (http://www.psychguides.com/guides/depressionsymptoms
causesandeffects/). If your mood disorder is manifesting as lowlevel depressive behavior, it’s possible that CBT is the only
treatment you’ll need to correct your symptoms. CBT is also effective in cases of anxiety
(http://www.psychguides.com/guides/anxietydisordersymptomscausesandeffects/) where the treatment can help to
teach the patient to better cope with life’s difficult circumstances. Bipolar disorder generally requires treatment with
medication, but CBT can serve as an adjunct to drug protocols. Studies involving children and teens have shown that bipolar
disorder can be effectively moderated with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Ultimately, CBT is effective at teaching the patient that their current patterns of belief are not only inaccurate but also
harmful.
Drugs and psychotherapy are not the only tools for helping someone with a mood disorder. Other therapeutic methods
include medical procedures and alternative products and therapies.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses electrical stimulation of the brain to help patients who experience major depression or
suicidal thoughts. Modern protocols are safer and more effective than those used in the past.
Natural supplements including St. John’s wort, omega3 fatty acids and sadenosylmethionine have been shown to improve
mood, stabilize emotions and lessen anxiety in many patients. A key benefit to these substances is that they are generally
thought to be safe to use and free of major side effects.
Various alternative health practices such as meditation, deepbreathing exercises, acupuncture, yoga and qigong are often
employed to help a patient become more calm, focused and mentally balanced. These types of activities are lifestylebased,
and that may be why patients who take part are far less likely to suffer from mood disorder relapses.
If your mood disorder symptoms are serious, you may benefit from a stay in a residential
or inpatient mood disorder treatment center. You’ll receive 24/7 residential care from
trained medical health staff members, morning and night, for as long as it takes to
restore your emotional balance.
To learn more about residential centers and treatment options, contact us at 1855719
1601.
The primary benefit of residential mood disorder treatment is that you’ll be removed from external circumstances and
influences. In the event of severe depression, bipolar disorder or psychosis (http://www.psychguides.com/guides/psychosis
symptomscausesandeffects/), a medical setting may be necessary to ensure your safety as well as the safety of those around
you.
Further, you’ll receive regular care from trained physicians who have worked with you intimately and understand your
particular needs and issues. Your doctor will be versed in all appropriate psychological and drug therapies. If you are
interested in alternative medicines and support programs, you can select a residential center that offers those specialties.
Luxury mood disorder facilities offer greater comfort and more amenities to their patients. Treatments are often more
progressive, and the sumptuous environments are likely to help improve your mood and attitude. Luxury facilities often offer
gourmet food, massage, exotic activities and spa treatments.
We can answer your questions about treatment facilities and help you choose the one that’s right for you. Call us today at 1
8557191601 for more information.
People from all walks of life suffer from mood disorders. The many demands placed upon corporate executives, physicians
and professionals can often lead to anxiety and depression.
Executive mood disorder programs and facilities are specifically designed to care for the needs of executives and working
professionals. These programs offer discretion and focus upon the underlying causes of the executive’s mood disorder.
Outpatient treatment programs are indicated if your mood disorder is less severe or if your life circumstances make it
impossible for you to remove yourself from daily responsibilities. Outpatient facilities are also a good choice if you’ve already
gone through more intensive therapy and are in need of ongoing maintenance and assistance.
Benefits of outpatient programs generally include lower program costs, less time commitment and less invasive protocols.
Supportive family and friends are vital since you’ll have to deal with the real world while you are healing.
Outpatient facilities are not suitable if you are suffering from severe bipolar disorder or acute mania.
It is possible your physician will augment psychological counseling with supportive medication. The typical medications that
are prescribed for mood disorders include:
Anticonvulsants
Antipsychotics
Lithium
Antidepressants
Benzodiazepines
Symbyax
Anticonvulsant drugs stabilize your mood chemically. Depakene, Depakote, Lamictal and Stavor are most commonly
prescribed in this class. Saphris can be helpful in treating mixed episodes where you are experiencing a variety of symptoms.
Lithium is also effective at stabilizing your mood and helping to break the pattern of extreme emotional highs and lows that
characterize bipolar disorder.
More serious mania and psychotic behavior are treated with antipsychotic drugs such as Abilify, Zyprexa, Risperdal and
Seroquel. These medications can also help people who don’t get results from anticonvulsants.
Antidepressants are useful but can trigger manic episodes in some patients. Symbyax combines an antidepressant with an
antipsychotic to deal with combined mood disorder symptoms. Benzodiazepines, such as Valium, are usually prescribed to
relax a patient and improve sleep. All medications carry risks of side effects and require communication and monitoring by a
qualified mental health practitioner.
Naturally derived supplements may be used instead of, or as a complement to, prescription medications. There are a number
of popular products including:
St. John’s wort
Valerian
Proloftin (Primal Calm)
Passionflower
Benadryl
Chamomile
Omega3 fatty acids
Sadenosylmethionine
St John’s wort is an herb that has been used for many centuries to help with mood, appetite and sleep troubles. Valerian and
Primal Calm are also herbal extracts that may reduce stress and promote a balanced emotional state. Passionflower is ground
up into tea or tablets, and it is used to deal with insomnia, anxietyrelated digestive upsets and symptoms of narcotic
withdrawal. Chamomile makes a delicious tea and supports feelings of calm and relaxation.
Your mental health practitioner can help you determine the right combination of prescription drugs or supplements that can
help fight your mood disorder symptoms.
In most cases, your mood disorder symptoms will not improve unless you take action.
When you are ready to take control of your mental health, you need to find help on
treating mood disorder (http://www.psychguides.com/guides/howtofindhelp
treatingamooddisorder/) to address your situation.
The type and severity of your mood disorder symptoms
(http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/Pages/index.aspx)
will dictate whether you should choose an inpatient or outpatient program. Whichever route you select, make sure to talk to
the treatment staff in advance. Ask questions, express concerns and make sure you understand how things are going to work.
We can answer all your questions about (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mooddisorders.html) mood disorder
treatment facilities. Call us at 18557191601 to discuss your specific issues and needs.
(http://www.psychguides.com/guides/mood-
disorder-
symptoms-causes-
and-effect/)