Mood disorders include depressive conditions such as:

Major Depressive Disorder

Also known as depression or clinical depression, Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by a major depressive episode (MDE) and has two core symptoms: depressed mood OR a loss of interest or pleasure (also called anhedonia). Major Depressive Disorder affects almost 7% of the population, making it the most recognized depressive disorder and the second most common mental disorder in all of the U.S.

Experiencing sadness or grief during a period of emotional distress, such as when a loved one passes away or when going through a divorce, is a completely normal and healthy reaction. You are a human with emotions! However, if you feel extreme sadness over a prolonged period of time and it negatively impacts different areas of your life, you may be suffering from Major Depressive Disorder. In this situation, psychiatric treatment and medication might be helpful.

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Mental health professionals make diagnoses based on symptoms, behaviors, and conditions listed and defined in the DSM-5. According to the DSM-5, in the same two-week period, a person with MDD would experience at least five of the following eight criteria:

  • Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
  • Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
  • Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
  • A slowing down of thoughts and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
  • Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
  • Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
  • Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, a suicide attempt, or a specific plan for committing suicide.

This constellation of symptoms can significantly impair an individual’s life, including socially, professionally, and otherwise.

Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

The good news is that there are ways to manage your symptoms and treat MDD. MDD is classified into 3 categories: mild, moderate, or severe. In most cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is effective and sufficient.

Medication Management

Medication will be prescribed by a psychiatrist who specializes in psychiatry. Finding the right medication and dosage is a key part of our patient centered treatment at APS. Following the evaluation and clinical diagnosis, our team who specialize in depressive disorders, will work with patients to prescribe medication and monitor progress to ensure optimal results while limiting unwanted side effects.

Psychotherapy

In addition to medication management, we utilize psychological interventions to identify issues that are causing emotional distress in patients, and develop individual solutions for coping with and managing MDD. Different types of psychotherapy that may be appropriate include insight oriented therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive psychotherapy, family and group therapy.

Many people respond well to treatment and can eventually reduce the frequency, or even stop treatment, of their medication and/or psychotherapy when both the doctor and patient feel symptoms have consistently improved and it is safe to do so. It is important to note that we work extremely closely with you through the process ensuring safe prescription practices.

In some cases, individuals experience abnormal perceptions such as hallucinations or delusions. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek psychiatric help immediately or visit your local emergency room.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depressive disorder is a mental health condition typically characterized by mood swings, irritability, and agitation that can change a person’s mood, sleep, energy, behavior, and ability to function. Individuals with bipolar disorder typically experience intense emotional states that can last for days or weeks at a time. These episodes are usually disruptive to the lives of the patient and their loved ones.

While some people with bipolar disorder can function and maintain a healthy professional and personal lifestyle, experiencing few or no episodes throughout the year, most people will struggle significantly and ultimately require medical attention. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time and affect daily activities. In severe cases, bipolar disorder can bring on hallucinations, bizarre beliefs/mannerisms and suicidal considerations. When this occurs, seeking emergent psychiatric care is essential.

There are various categories of bipolar disorder:

  • Bipolar I is a mental disorder that involves one or more episodes of mania. The majority of individuals with Bipolar I will experience both mania and depression, but depressive episodes are not required to be diagnosed with this disorder. To be diagnosed with Bipolar I, an individual must experience manic episodes lasting for at least seven days or are so severe they require hospitalization.

  • Bipolar II tends to result in periods of major depression and hypomania (a milder form of mania) that shift back and forth. Mania or manic episodes are not involved in Bipolar II. The diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder requires a person to have suffered at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode during their lifetime.

  • Cyclothymia, or Cyclothymic Disorder, is a condition in which people suffer from long-term hypomania and mild depression. There are times when people with cyclothymia have normal moods, but they usually last less than eight weeks. Yet, these highs and lows do not qualify as either major depression or mania. This can be confused with some types of personality disorders.

  • Mixed States is a type of Bipolar that occurs when you have both mania and depression occur at the same time. It is particularly important to have a low threshold for diagnosis as treatment can be, and oftentimes is, complicated.

Patients can experience symptoms differently, and as time progresses, symptoms can change. Therefore, a bipolar disorder treatment plan is essential for managing mood disturbances and other bipolar symptoms.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is treated primarily with therapy and medication management. As with most chronic illnesses, treatment will need to be ongoing.

Medication Management

Most individuals with bipolar disorder need medication to keep their symptoms under control.  In many cases, we treat bipolar disorder with mood stabilizers and second-generation antipsychotics. Additionally, bipolar disorder’s depressive episodes can be treated using both an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer to prevent episodes of mania. It is important to add that lifestyle modifications need to be made, along with maintaining healthy dietary habits.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is often an essential part of the treatment plan for people with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy helps a person identify and change troubling behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. People with bipolar disorder (and their families) can obtain support, education, and guidance through various forms of therapy with our psychiatrists. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychoeducation are just two types of therapy that may be used in treating these conditions.

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