Mood Disorders

Adult Psychiatry & Adolescent Psychiatry located in Illinois

Mood Disorders services offered in Illinois

Mood disorders are common problems where people experience persistent negative emotions. If you have mood disorder symptoms, talk to Abosede Babalola, DNP, PMHNP-BC, at Best Option Behavioral Health Services in Orland Park, Illinois, in Chicago’s south suburbs. She offers comprehensive psychotherapy and medication management treatment to suit every patient’s unique experience. Call the office today to arrange an in-person or telehealth appointment or book a consultation online.

Mood Disorders Q & A

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are a group of mental health illnesses for which clinical depression is a primary symptom. Depression has a persistent negative effect on your emotions, making you feel sad, despairing, worthless, and hopeless all or most of the time. It can severely limit your ability to pursue a career or have a stable family life.

Most mood disorders are curable with expert treatment. Some are lifelong conditions that you can manage with ongoing treatment and support. Whichever mood disorder affects you, the compassionate Best Option Behavioral Health Services mental health specialists provide effective treatment.

What are the most common mood disorders?

The most common mood disorders are:

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

When you have MDD, nothing lifts your mood, however hard you try. Severe depression affects your ability to work or study, damages relationships, and can lead to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression that continues for two or more years. People with dysthymia experience continual low moods but can usually function adequately in daily life.

Bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience extreme, unsettling mood swings, switching from depression to mania and back in a continual cycle. Depression could last for many months, with sudden shifts to mania — a feeling of elation and excessive energy — that last for days or weeks.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is bipolar disorder that causes less extreme and more regular mood swings.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD results from a lack of daylight, so in the United States, it affects people during the winter.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Women with PMDD experience mood swings caused by hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle.

How are mood disorders treated?

The primary treatments for mood disorders are psychotherapy and medication. Individual psychotherapy offers a safe space for you to discuss your emotions and thoughts with one of the skilled therapists at Best Option Behavioral Health Services. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) shows you how to alter negative thoughts to improve daily functioning.

Antidepressant medications reduce mood disorder symptoms by restoring a healthy balance of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in your brain’s mood center. You might need specific therapies for certain mood disorders, such as full-spectrum light therapy for SAD or hormone therapy for PMDD.

Call Best Option Behavioral Health Services to find effective relief from mood disorders, or book an appointment online today.