Mood Disorders

If you’re plagued by constant mood swings and have difficulty controlling your emotions, a mood disorder may be the reason. At Brain Revive Psychiatry, LLC, in Lakewood, Colorado, board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Dr. Alison Burton, DNP,  offers outstanding treatments for mood disorders to restore your well-being. Schedule an in-person or virtual mental health evaluation at Brain Revive Psychiatry, LLC, by phone, or request one online today.

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect children, teenagers, and adults — though symptoms vary from person to person. They broadly describe bipolar disorder and all types of depression. Alison offers treatments that improve your mood, eliminate worrisome symptoms of a mood disorder, and help you thrive in everyday situations.

What are the different types of mood disorders?

Examples of mood disorders include:

Dysthymia 

Dysthymia is a low-grade, irritable, depressed mood that lasts at least two years.

Major depression

Major depression is a condition that causes a loss of interest in usual activities, hopelessness, sadness, or other symptoms of depression for at least two weeks.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a condition that causes minor mood swings, alternating periods of extreme sadness with euphoria (joy), and have taken place for more than 2 years.

Bipolar Mood Disorders

Extreme mood swings consisting of elevated mood (euphoria) and low mood (depression.)

 
Substance-induced mood disorders

Substance-induced mood disorders cause depression linked to the negative effects of drug abuse, medicines, alcoholism, or toxin exposure.

Mood disorders linked to health conditions

Some people develop depression because of medical illnesses, such as injuries, infections, chronic diseases, cancer, or other medical issues.

What are the symptoms of mood disorders?

Common symptoms of mood disorders include:

• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Being empty, sad, or anxious
• Guilt 
• Shame
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling worthless or inadequate
• Thoughts of suicide
• Loss of interest in favorite things
• Sleeping changes
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue or excessive energy
• Impulsive decision-making
• Poor judgment
• Physical aches and pains
• Being overly sensitive to rejection 
• Irritability
• Frequent mood swings

You might experience relationship issues, anger management problems, and challenges at work or school. 

What are the risk factors for mood disorders?

The following things may increase your risk of a mood disorder:

• Family history of mood disorders
• Imbalances in your brain
• Stressful life events
• Trauma
• Losing a job
• Financial challenges
• Divorce or breakup
• Loss of a loved one
• Being a women
• Lack of a social support network
• Loneliness
• Substance misuse
• Having a medical condition 

Women have a higher risk of developing depression than men. Adopting healthy habits and minimizing stress reduces your risk of depression and other mood disorders.

How are mood disorders diagnosed and treated?

Alison diagnoses mood disorders after completing a psychiatric evaluation. She asks questions about your lifestyle, symptoms, medications, moods, and emotions and could recommend genetic testing for medication selection.

She customizes a treatment plan that may include medication management, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of treatments. Alison offers virtual and in-person medication management sessions.

Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation at Brain Revive Psychiatry, LLC, by calling the office or requesting one online today.