Mood Disorders

What Are Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders involve persistent changes in emotional state that are intense enough to disrupt daily life. The most common types include:

• Major Depressive Disorder – Persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – A chronic, low-level form of depression that can last for years

• Bipolar Disorder – Cycles of depressive episodes and periods of mania or hypomania, which may involve high energy, impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, or elevated mood

• Cyclothymia – Ongoing shifts between milder depressive and hypomanic symptoms

Mood disorders are not a sign of weakness or failure. They often result from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Therapy can help you manage symptoms, build insight, and live more fully.

How Mood Disorders Affect Daily Life

Living with a mood disorder can feel exhausting and confusing. You might:

• Feel like you’re “too sensitive” or “not yourself anymore”

• Struggle to find motivation or joy in things you used to enjoy

• Notice rapid or extreme shifts in mood that you can’t explain

• Feel disconnected from others, even when you're surrounded by people

• Experience hopelessness, irritability, or a deep sense of shame

• Worry that you’ll never feel “normal” again

These feelings are real, and they can be incredibly difficult to navigate on your own. But with the right kind of support, you can find relief and stability.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy for mood disorders can help you understand your symptoms, regulate your emotions, and develop healthier thought patterns and coping strategies. We work collaboratively and compassionately to support both short-term relief and long-term growth.

Relational Psychotherapy

Depression and mood swings can lead to isolation and a sense of disconnection from others. In relational therapy, the relationship between client and therapist becomes a source of healing. Feeling seen and understood in this space can help repair relational wounds and rebuild a sense of connection and trust.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores the deeper emotional and relational roots of your mood symptoms. This includes unconscious conflicts, unresolved grief, or early experiences that shaped how you see yourself and others. Working through these patterns allows you to respond to life with more flexibility and self-compassion.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is highly effective in treating depression and other mood disorders. It helps you identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns — for example, beliefs like “I’m a burden” or “Things will never get better” — and replace them with more balanced, empowering ways of thinking.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

If you experience mood instability, intense emotional reactions, or difficulty tolerating distress, DBT can help. It teaches skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is especially useful for people whose moods shift quickly or feel out of control.