Mood Disorder Treatment Altamonte Springs, FL

When to Seek Professional Help

One confusing thing about mood disorders is that they appear to have no connection to a person's circumstances. Everything can be rolling a person's way, but they still feel empty inside and do not know why. It can appear these people are acting this way on purpose, but they are not. Chances are the person is thinking, “What the heck is wrong with me?” or “why can I just not snap out of it?” When dealing with mood disorders, the worst thing to do is to dismiss the sufferer as just crazy or a person with a bad attitude. Past beliefs that a depressed person needs to “buck up” are toxic. They can make the person feel so ashamed and full of self-doubt that they do not seek help until there is a crisis.

There is little the person can do to make their mood disorder go away without help from a professional. Mood disorders can negatively impact lives. People may lose jobs, develop chemical or process addictions, cause irreparable damage to relationships with loved ones, miss out on wonderful life events, or even lose their lives to suicide. The sooner a person struggling with a mood disorder gets help, the sooner they can get back their life. If a person believes they are suffering from a mood disorder, they should talk to a trusted loved one or friend about it. Maybe this person can start them on the road to good mental health.

However, it can be hard for a person to admit they need help. Mental illness affects tens of millions of Americans each year, according to estimates. Yet, according to these same estimates, only half of those who need mental health care get it. Though things are improving, the stigma against mental illness is still present and harmful. Unfortunately, this stigma increases the likelihood that the mood disorder will drive the patient to use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate. The patient can even reach a point where they are suicidal, a danger to themselves and others.

At this point, one must act quickly. If one cannot get their loved one to go willingly to seek emergency psychiatric help, a call to emergency services is a must. Explain the situation to the person on the phone to prepare the medical personnel for what they will be dealing with on arrival. Tell the 911 dispatcher how the person is acting. Is the person combative? Do they appear to be hallucinating? Are they acting agitated, aggressive, or threatening to harm themselves or someone else. It is important to note that if someone with a mood disorder becomes dangerous, it does not make them a bad person, just a sick person who did not get help before their mental health issue reached a crisis level.

Diagnosing Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are diagnosed through a psychiatric and physical examination. Doctors want to rule out physical issues such as hormone imbalances or thyroid problems that can exhibit symptoms similar to mood disorders. Substance abuse can also exhibit mood disorder symptoms. For example, methamphetamine use, especially after days of no sleep, can mimic bipolar disorder or schizophrenia symptoms. It is important to rule out drug use as a cause of the symptoms. The psychiatric evaluation should be thorough in getting a full picture of the symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis and develop the proper treatment plan.

In addition to bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and dysthymia, other mood disorders include seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression associated with fewer hours of daylight tending to occur at the same time of year, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more extreme form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Postpartum depression is a type of depression that affects women during and right after pregnancy. Mood disorders can be brought on by long-term stress, grief, or genetics.

Many find it surprising that anxiety disorders are not are not mood disorders. While anxiety does affect the mood, it is not directly related to mood. However, there are those with mood disorders who suffer from anxiety disorders as well. They must be cared for and medicated carefully. Certain anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids carry a risk of addiction in people prone to becoming substance dependent. Having a mood disorder is one factor that can increase a patient’s risk of becoming addicted.

How Are Mood Disorders Treated

Mood disorder treatment typically involves a combination of medication and psychotreatment. The psychiatrist will choose a drug that does not have any harmful interactions with the patient’s other medications. In most cases, the psychiatrist will start the patient on a low dose and increase it slowly. Often a couple of medications are required depending on the patient’s situation. In general, antidepressants are prescribed for depressive disorders and mood stabilizers for bipolar disorders.

Staying in close communication with the prescribing doctor is vital as the patient adjusts to the medication. The medication can help the patient feel better and more stable. Still, usually, there are maladaptive thoughts and behaviors the patient has developed while dealing with the mood disorder on their own. Psychotreatment can help the patient identify these maladaptive thoughts and behaviors and help them replace them with positive ones. Cognitive-behavioral treatment is one popular approach to do this.

It is also important to note that people treated with prescriptions for mood disorders should avoid drugs and alcohol. Consumption of these substances can interfere with the effectiveness of the medicine or be dangerous. Also, a healthy lifestyle containing exercise, a well-balanced diet, and proper sleep will further aid the management of the mood disorder.

What to Expect From Mood Disorder Treatment

Patients should remember they are not on trial and the medical professional is here to help them. Be honest about everything, including feelings, health habits, and substance abuse. There is nothing these professionals have not heard, and they are not judgemental. Professionals will usually give patients a survey to fill out at the evaluation. Full disclosure will lead to a more accurate diagnosis. The contents of this survey, as well as what information one shares with the psychiatrist, is confidential. Despite what one might believe, people with mood disorders are everywhere. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with these people. They are just sick and will get better with treatment.

Many patients are worried about going on medication. This is normal, as is asking a lot of questions. Patients are often given a pamphlet of information with the prescription describing things in detail, such as side effects and precautions to take. Patients should be honest with their doctor about how the medication works for them or any undesirable side effects. Sometimes, the first medication one tries is not always the right fit.

As with most antidepressants, the medication will take a few weeks to work, and the patient should give it time. If your goal is to limit the medication as much as possible, ask the psychiatrist about seeing a psychologist or someone trained in using proven treatment methods to help deal with the symptoms. As mentioned earlier, a combination of treatment and medication is often recommended to achieve the best results.