Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders offered in Ithaca, Orchard Park, Saratoga Springs and Binghamton, NY

Mood disorders can significantly disrupt daily life, whether your mood is sad and depressed, manic and filled with unusually high energy, or your mood changes are so frequent that you feel unbalanced. The licensed therapists at Whole Wellness Counseling in Ithaca, New York and Orchard Park, New York, specialize in providing holistic care for mood disorders. If you need to regain mental and emotional balance, call the office or use online booking today to schedule a consultation and learn about your treatment options.

Mood Disorders Q&A

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders include bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, hypomania, major depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These are common psychiatric disorders leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality.

How likely is it that I have a mood disorder?

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

MDD affects 17% of adolescents and 8% of adults, causing symptoms that occur nearly every day and last for two weeks or longer.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a type of MDD that begins during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

DMDD affects children and teens, causing daily anger and severe emotional outbursts that occur at least several times each week.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar I disorder causes mood swings between major depression and severe mania. Bipolar II disorder causes major depression, but your mania is less severe (hypomania).

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is a type of bipolar disorder that causes mild depression and hypomania. However, you have frequent mood swings lasting at least two years.

What symptoms do mood disorders cause?

All of the different mood disorders may cause symptoms such as:

Loss of energy and fatigue
Sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness
Isolating yourself from family and friends
Avoiding activities you enjoy
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Thinking about suicide

The mania associated with bipolar disorders causes symptoms such as:

Feeling elated
Talking rapidly
Having unstoppable energy
Having an inflated sense of self-importance
Experiencing racing thoughts
Engaging in risky behaviors (like overspending or drinking while driving)

Manic episodes typically reduce your need for sleep.

How are mood disorders treated?

People with mood disorders are often treated by a medical prescriber with mood-stabilizing medications. Some people with severe depression may need antidepressants. However, therapy is the primary treatment for mood disorders.

Therapy helps you learn to recognize negative thoughts or signs of a pending mood swing. Then your therapist teaches you skills to prevent changes in your mood.

Mood disorders are associated with many challenges in daily life, such as difficulty at work and having a hard time socializing. Therapy helps you overcome these challenges and others you may face.

Nutrition also has an important influence on your mood. Whole Wellness Counseling offers nutritional counseling to support brain health.

If you are struggling to maintain a balanced mood, call Whole Wellness Counseling or book an appointment online today.