Mental Health Treatment for mood disorders, anxiety, and other related disorders in Forney, Texas.
If this is a mental health emergency, please call 988 or go to the nearest emergency room!
What are Mood Disorders?
A mood disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intense emotional disturbances, including, extreme sadness or lows (depression) or extreme elation or highs (mania) or both, that differs from typical mood fluctuations and interfere with daily functioning. Affecting nearly 1 in 10 adults, these conditions are treatable with medication and therapy.
Mood Disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar I and II, and Cyclothymia.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
The APA defines major depressive disorder (MDD) as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home which is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including: apathy, Sadness, Guilt, Exhaustion, Irritability
People with depression are at a higher risk of developing chronic medical issues, abusing alcohol and drugs, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Bipolar I and II
The APA defines bipolar disorders as mental health conditions characterized by periodic, intense emotional states affecting a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. These periods, lasting from days to weeks, are called mood episodes. Mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic episodes when the predominant mood is intensely happy or irritable, or depressive episodes, when there is an intensely sad mood or the ability to experience joy or pleasure disappears. People with bipolar disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives.
Cyclothymia
The APA defines Cyclothymic disorder as a milder form of bipolar disorder involving many "mood swings," with hypomania and depressive symptoms that occur frequently. People with cyclothymia experience emotional ups and downs but with less severe symptoms than bipolar I or II disorder. Cyclothymic disorder symptoms include the following:
- For at least two years, many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms, but the symptoms do not meet the criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes.
- During the two-year period, the symptoms (mood swings) have lasted for at least half the time and have never stopped for more than two months.
What is Anxiety?
The APA defines anxiety disorders as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and conversations. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat.
Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.
Types of Anxiety Disorders:
There are several types of anxiety disorders and criteria explained by the American Psychiatric Association, including, but not limited to: Generalized Anxiety disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Other Related Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Hoarding Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder), Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder are all disorders that commonly co-occur with mood disorders and anxiety. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have obsessions (persistent, recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession.
Many of these disorders typically begin in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.
Diagnosis for Mental Health Disorders
Diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders are guided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5-TR (DSM-5-TR). Some mental health disorders require months of observation to understand patterns related to mood changes, and might be diagnosed incorrectly. There are multiple steps to diagnosing a mental illness, including a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional (a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or other qualified mental health professional) using detailed interviews about your history, symptoms, life events, physical examinations to rule out medical conditions, or various psychological questionnaires.
Treatment for Mood Disorders, Anxiety, and Other Related Disorders:
Treatment for mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, utilize a variety of approaches including psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, eye movement and desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), person-centered therapy, somatic experiencing, and more. Providers at Untying Knots Counseling, PLLC in Forney, Tx are trained to provide relevant treatment for mood, anxiety, and other related disorders.
Individualized treatment for mental health disorders means designing care around the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Two people can meet criteria for the same disorder and still need very different approaches—and that’s the point.
Additionally, medication from a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner may be used to help reduce symptoms of the disorder or make it easier to function and engage in therapy. Good medication treatment means: You understand why a medication is prescribed You feel comfortable asking questions Adjustments are made if something doesn’t feel right You always have a voice in the process.