Mood Disorders

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders affect a person’s emotional state and make it hard to manage day-to-day life. Common mood disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Cyclothymia
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

These conditions cause symptoms like intense sadness, irritability, and mood swings that last longer than everyday ups and downs.

Doran provides compassionate care using a holistic, trauma-informed approach. The team specializes in working with adults, with a focus on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, who may face additional stressors or stigma. The goal is to help clients manage their symptoms, build resilience, and enhance their quality of life.

What treatments are available for mood disorders?

Doran offers a wide range of therapy options. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) can help challenge unhelpful thought patterns.

Mindfulness-based therapy teaches awareness and acceptance of emotions. For trauma-related mood symptoms, your therapist may recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or internal family systems (IFS) therapy.

Some patients benefit from medications like antidepressants. Doran works with medical providers to ensure medication and therapy complement each other. The team also offers ketamine therapy for those with treatment-resistant symptoms.

How can therapy help with mood disorders?

Therapy provides tools for managing negative thoughts, improving daily routines, and rebuilding hope. It’s also a safe space to talk about sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in life.

Working with a supportive therapist helps to lessen isolation and restore motivation. It can also help you identify triggers that worsen symptoms, teach you how to build healthy routines, and enable you to develop coping strategies.

Family or couples therapy can help loved ones better understand mood disorders and improve communication. This can strengthen support systems and reduce conflict at home.

How do trauma and identity affect mood disorders?

For LGBTQIA+ adults and others in marginalized groups, experiences of rejection, discrimination, or trauma can worsen mood symptoms. Doran recognizes these realities and provides a safe, affirming environment to address them with care and respect.

To provide the most effective treatment, the Doran team completes a thorough assessment of your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. Together, you create a personalized plan using therapies tailored to your specific needs.

With the proper support, people affected by mood disorders can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Call Doran to access expert help with your mood disorder or book an appointment online today.