Mood Disorders

Mood disorders affect your emotional state, causing you to feel very down or very up for extended periods of time. Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group in Fairfax, Virginia, is a full-service psychiatry practice that treats all types of mental health conditions, including mood disorders. The team cares for children, teens, and adults. To find out more about mood disorders, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions that affect your emotional well-being. People with a mood disorder experience long periods where they feel very sad, very happy (manic), or both. 

These mood changes affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, which makes it hard to manage everyday routines like going to work or school.

Mood disorders are serious mental health conditions that need proper care. The team at Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group diagnoses and treats mood disorders. 

What are some types of mood disorders?

Mood disorders are types of depression and bipolar disorder. Examples of mood disorders include:

Major depression

Major depression is a common mood disorder that causes ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness that occur daily for two or more weeks. 

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a type of mood disorder that affects people after they give birth to a baby. It causes feelings of sadness and despair that affect their ability to care for themselves and their newborn.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a type of depression that occurs during times of the year when there’s less daylight. The sadness usually starts in the fall or early winter and lasts through spring or early summer. 

Bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience mood changes that fluctuate between depression (very low or sad) and mania (very happy or euphoric). 

Bipolar I disorder is the more extreme type of mood disorder that causes manic episodes that require hospitalization. Bipolar II disorder causes periods of depression and hypomania.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a mood disorder that causes people to fluctuate between periods of depression and hypomania for two or more years or one year in children or teens.

What are the treatment options for mood disorders?

Before making any treatment recommendations, the team at Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group has you undergo a psychiatric evaluation to assess and diagnose your mood disorder and determine the right treatment. 

Treatment for mood disorders includes psychotherapy, medication management, or both.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a type of counseling where you meet with a professional who helps you understand your mood disorder and develop strategies to improve how you think, feel, and behave.

Medication management

Psychiatric medications ease symptoms and improve your response to psychotherapy. The team provides medication management to ensure you get on the right medication and dose and continue on the medication for as long as needed.

To schedule a consultation with Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group, call the office or book an appointment online today.