Mood Disorders

Do you struggle with long periods of extreme sadness, excessive happiness, or rapid changes in your emotions? If so, a mood disorder may be the cause. At Recovery Pathways, LLC, with six convenient locations in Bay City, Corunna, Gladwin, Ortonville, Midland, and Mount Pleasant, Michigan, experienced mental health specialists diagnose and treat mood disorders to support balance and help you thrive. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are common mental health conditions that affect emotions. You might notice periods of extreme sadness, happiness, or both, as well as anger and/or irritability. 

Bipolar disorder and depression are common mood disorders that may negatively affect your daily activities, job, school, or relationships. Treatment helps stabilize your moods and emotions. 

What are the different types of mood disorders?

Mood disorders commonly treated at Recovery Pathways, LLC include the following.

• Depression: severe or long-lasting sadness
• Bipolar disorder: extreme shifts between sad and happy feelings
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD): mood disorder affecting children and adolescents, characterized by irritability and frequent angry outbursts 
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): mood shifts occurring 7-10 days before menstruation in women

Mood disorders affect children, teenagers, and adults. Depression impacts about 7% of adults in the United States, while nearly 3% of adults struggle with bipolar disorder. About 15% of children and teenagers have a mood disorder. 

Which symptoms can mood disorders cause?

Symptoms of mood disorders can include:

• Frequent or extreme mood swings
• Changes in sleep, diet, exercise, energy, appetite, or weight
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling sad often
• Fatigue or excessive energy
• Hopelessness
• Feeling worthless
• Racing thoughts
• Lack of interest in favorite things
• Thoughts of suicide
• Impulsive behaviors 
• Talking less or more than usual
• Risky behaviors

Factors that may increase the risk of a mood disorder include a family history of mood disorders and trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect. Other risk factors include stressful life situations, chronic illnesses, and the loss of a loved one. 

How are mood disorders diagnosed?

The experts at Recovery Pathways, LLC can diagnose mood disorders by completing a psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. They review your medications, lifestyle habits, mental health history, moods, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. 

You might be a candidate for GeneSight® testing to determine which medications may be the most appropriate for treating your specific mood disorder based on your genetic makeup. 

How are mood disorders treated?

Your individualized mood disorder treatment plan at Recovery Pathways, LLC may include:

• Individual, group, or family and couples counseling
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Psychodynamic therapy 
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Medications
• Evidence-based coping skills 

If you struggle with substance misuse, Recovery Pathways, LLC offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that may include trying VIVITROL® or SUBOXONE®. 

Schedule a mood disorder evaluation at Recovery Pathways, LLC by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.