Mood Disorders
Sudden and swift changes in mood, difficulties in adjusting to life changes and extremes in moods? You may be suffering with a mood disorder.
A therapist can help you to discuss and understand your triggers for mood swings so you can better control them.
What are mood disorders?
Experiencing emotional ups and downs can be very common. Life can present us with people and situations that lead to moodiness, agitation, and irritability. Healthy individuals are usually able to rebound from these challenges and find emotional balance.
You may be suffering from a mood disorder if your emotional state or attitude does not match your current circumstances, your moods change suddenly affecting your daily life and you struggle to rebound from life challenges.
What causes mood disorders?
There may be several causal factors, depending on the type of mood disorder. Genetic, biological, environmental and other factors have been associated with mood disorders.
Research suggests that 1 in 10 adults suffer from a mood disorder.
What treatment can help with mood disorders?
Treatment will depend on the specific mood disorder and symptoms that are present. Often, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is suggested.
Medication can be used to treat some mood disorders but can only help with some symptoms. For example, antidepressants can be prescribed for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Antipsychotics may also help with more challenging disorders such as bipolar disorder.
In order to develop a treatment plan that is individual to you and your symptoms, a number of factors may be considered to determine the best approach. Your age, medical history, individual symptoms, severity of symptoms, and personal preferences may all be taken into account.
A CBT therapist will help you to recognise negative or self-defeating thought patterns and teach you how to replace them with healthier beliefs and habits of thinking.
How can a therapist help with mood disorders
A qualified, professional therapist will work with you to examine your thoughts and behaviours and improve how you feel. You will build a relationship based on trust, giving you the confidence to share your feelings and emotions with them. Your counsellor will listen to all that you have to share with empathy and openness.