Over 30 million Americans experience depression or another mood disorder each year. When you or someone you love is living with a mood disorder, it can have a ripple effect in almost every area of your life. Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment is dedicated to helping people overcome mental health challenges and learn to manage their conditions. Under the guidance of renowned trauma specialist, Dr. Karol Darsa Psy.D. we provide intensive, transformational treatment for depression and other mood disorders.
At Reconnect, you will find a team of empathetic professionals and an intimate therapeutic environment that is conducive to peace of mind and healing. If you have not had treatment or formal diagnosis before, you will receive careful diagnosis and treatment tailored to your needs with us. If you have been attending therapy or counseling regularly, but find yourself plateauing or stuck in a rut, we can help you achieve breakthroughs and forward momentum once again.
Categories of Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders are changes in everyday emotions that can interfere with your relationships, and even compromise your health. Such changes can drastically affect your daily routines and general well-being.
Much more than just “the blues”, mood disorders like depression reach millions of Americans, with as many as 15 million reporting a major episode of depression in a 12-month period. In a given month, at least one-fifth of the US population reports symptoms of depression.
Often induced by trauma, mood disorders are a mental health disorder category which includes: Bipolar disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), major and persistent depressive disorders, and Cyclothymia. Depression of all types affects people from all walks of life, no matter the gender, race, age, or socioeconomic status. However, women are 50% more likely to experience an episode of depression during their lifetime.
There are many factors that can lead to a mood disorder, ranging from biochemical, family history/genetics, illness or trauma, or even substance abuse. Depending on the cause and the individual, the results may vary in intensity.
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depression is the most common type of chronic depression. It can begin to be diagnosed when someone demonstrates consistent symptoms for more than two weeks in a row. Symptoms include low mood, sadness or apathy.
This is often accompanied by a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy and low energy and motivation. People living with major depression are sometimes unaware of the gravity of their symptoms until someone else close to them takes notice. They know they don’t feel happy or satisfied, but it is easy to become so familiar with these feelings that they become the default.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is similar to major depression, but it can be more subtle as it shows fewer symptoms. Also called chronic or persistent depression, dysthymia affects nearly 2% of the U.S. population. To diagnose, fewer symptoms are required but they must have been present for 2 or more years.
Due to its chronic nature, dysthymia may reside undiagnosed for years. Individuals may begin to identify with it, believing it part of their nature.
If you feel these symptoms may describe what you feel, keep in mind the following risk factors such as having relatives with depression, history of traumatic events, personality traits or a history of negativity, low energy, or even other mental health disorders. If these also pertain to you, please call us to speak with someone.
- Fatigue
- Sleep changes
- Low self-esteem
- Little appetite
- Hopelessness
- Poor concentration
- Low interest in daily activities
- Avoidance of social activities
Bipolar Disorders I, II and Cyclothymia
There are three major types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolar I is the bipolar disorder that is the most well-known. Bipolar I is characterized with manic episodes which last at least one week followed by depressive episodes which usually last at least 2 weeks or longer. It is not unusual for someone with Bipolar I Disorder to require a hospital stay during a manic episode. Manic behavior can be extreme and difficult to predict, making these behaviors potentially dangerous to the person or others. Medication compliance is one of the keys to managing Bipolar I Disorder successfully.
- Distractibility
- Euphoria
- Racing thoughts
- Unusually talkative
- Abnormally upbeat, jumpy
- Increased energy and agitation
- Poor decision-making ability
- Fatigue or energy loss
- Insomnia (OR sleeping too much)
- Slowed behavior or restlessness
- Feeling worthless
- Thoughts of suicide
- Depressed mood
- No interest in activities
- Lack of concentration
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II Disorder is lesser known and usually more challenging to diagnose. Depressive episodes and hypomanic symptoms are a feature of Bipolar II as well, but people with it do not exhibit the intense mania that Bipolar I sufferers do. Depressive episodes are typically less severe and may last much longer. The more subtle presentation of symptoms is what can make Bipolar II Disorder a bit harder to diagnose.
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia, sometimes called Cyclothymic Disorder is the third type of bipolar disorder and is somewhat less well-known than the others. Cyclothymiais defined by hypomanic symptoms as well as depressive symptoms which last for at least two years. These symptoms are also less severe than they appear in patients with Bipolar I Disorder
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression, also called PPD is a specific type of depression which some women experience after pregnancy. PPD is not yet thoroughly understood but research suggests that it may be hormonal changes which trigger the symptoms.
The symptoms go well beyond just a case of “the blues”. Women living with PPD often battle waves of anxiety, sadness and disturbing thoughts. Sleeplessness and irritability are also commonly seen symptoms.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Though often temporary and mild, seasonal affective disorder impacts millions of Americans each year. Often occurring during the winter months, summer episodes may also present themselves.
The official cause of seasonal affective disorder is unknown, but the primary theory is that variations in weather (typically decreased sunlight) can affect an individual’s biochemistry, namely serotonin levels. In mild cases, light therapy may prove effective. However, severe cases do necessitate treatment.
Healing Begins When You Reconnect
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with any of these conditions, or shows symptoms, the team at Reconnect wants to help. No one deserves to live with an untreated or undertreated mental health disorder. Treatment for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders is more effective today than ever before. The help you and your loved ones deserve is just a phone call away. Contact us at: (310) 713-6739
