Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, consist of general emotional states that intervene with a person’s normal functioning on a daily basis. Feelings of extreme sadness or depression, coupled with a fluctuation to extreme happiness (mania or hypomania) may occur. 

Examples of mood disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder

• Bipolar disorder (Bipolar I and Bipolar II)

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

• Dysthymia

Symptoms

Having a mood disorder may affect daily life activities. Due to the various types of mood disorders, each may involve different symptoms. Some major symptoms of mood disorders are:

• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed 

• Loss of appetite or overeating

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• Fatigue

• Crying

• Anxiety

• Low levels of energy or unusually heightened levels of activity

• Impulsivity

• Feeling hopeless or worthless

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty with decision-making

• Feelings of guilt

• Irritability

• Thoughts of dying or suicide 

Positive Directions’ Approach to Mood Disorders:

At Positive Directions, we understand that Mood Disorders can interrupt and negatively impact a person’s daily activities including work, school, and personal relationships. Our approach in working with clients to address their symptoms is collaborative and client-driven, and we work to meet the client where they are at to tailor treatment to their individual circumstances. Upon admission, a comprehensive intake evaluation is completed to gather a history of the client and learn more about the symptoms they have been experiencing. This helps us to gather a comprehensive picture of the impact the clients’ symptoms have had on their lives and allows us to tailor our approach to the client’s needs. 

Starting with this information, we then develop an individualized treatment plan for each client that is tailored to their needs and goals. The treatment plan is the guide-post for the work we do in session, and progress toward treatment goals is evaluated and measured during each counseling session. Additionally, we periodically review this plan with our clients to ensure that we are consistently working toward and updating goals and objectives as appropriate.

Based upon the treatment plan, services are provided to address individual needs and teach clients the skills and tools necessary to gain insight and understanding, work to decrease negative or undesirable symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life.  Our counselors also work closely with family members as appropriate, educating them about mental health, and supporting their involvement in their loved one’s treatment.

When providing these services, a variety of clinical techniques are utilized such as cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and dialectical behavioral tools. Our clinicians are trained in a variety of effective treatment modalities, and treatment is tailored to specific individual and family needs. Furthermore, our clinicians connect with outside providers as necessary, and are able to make appropriate referrals to additional providers should the need arise in order to collaborate and provide comprehensive treatment. Our approach is designed to assist people in improving the quality of their lives.