Depression & Mood Disorders
In-Person in the Suwanee, Alpharetta & Cumming Area | Online in Georgia
If you’re experiencing any of the following…
Difficulty making decisions
Hard to fall asleep
Praying that God would just take you because you feel you can’t go on
Struggling to get out of bed each morning because you don’t want to face the day
Lack of energy to do the basic tasks, like taking a shower
Avoiding phone calls and text messages from friends
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
You feel hopeless
You feel guilty all the time about your past mistakes
You are easily stressed and snap at your family
Your mood easily changes from irritable to upbeat
You may be dealing with depression.
Depression, along with other mood disorders like bipolar disorder, can be deeply painful and even life-threatening as they chip away at hope—and without hope, life can feel unbearable.
Mood disorders primarily affect your emotional state. These disorders can have periods of extreme depression or extreme happiness or both. Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder and their subtypes.
DEPRESSION IS MORE THAN JUST SADNESS
Everyone feels sad on occasion. Sadness is a normal human emotion that everyone feels at times of stress or loss. Certain life events such as a divorce, death of a loved one, loss of job or failing an exam can all cause feelings of sadness. Sadness usually goes away with time and doesn’t affect normal daily functioning.
If sadness and low mood persist for more than 2 weeks, you may have developed depression. Depression is a mental health disorder with extreme sadness or despair lasting for 2 weeks or longer. It interferes with daily living such as ability to work, sleep or concentrate.
Depressive Disorders
Common symptoms of depression include:
Depressed state, feeling sad or hopeless
Little interest in activities you once enjoyed
Agitation or irritability
Inability to concentrate
Fatigue
Insomnia or hypersomnolence
Feelings of worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts
Increased or decreased appetite
Excessive guilt
Social isolation
Anxiety
Physical aches and pains with no physical cause
In some cases, psychosis including delusions or hallucinations
There are several types of depressive disorders:
Major Depressive Disorder – lasting for at least 2 weeks with daily depressed mood for most of the day with noticeable signs of hopelessness and sadness.
Seasonal Affective Disorder - comes and goes with the seasons. It usually occurs during the fall/winter when there is less sunlight. Using light lamps can be an effective treatment.
Persistent Depression Disorder – Consists of less severe depressive symptoms that lasts for years.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – Mood changes and feelings of hopelessness that occur before a menstrual cycle and go away a few days after the period begins.
Perinatal Depression (postpartum or peripartum) – Depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar I Disorder – Cycles of mania alternating with depression.
Mania is characterized by elevated or euphoric mood state, including irritability along with excess energy and increased activity, less need for sleep, rapid speech and feelings of invincibility.
Bipolar II Disorder – Defined by a pattern of depressed episodes alternating with hypomanic episodes. These hypomanic episodes are less severe than mania in bipolar I.
Cyclothymia - Defined by hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to qualify as bipolar I or II.
Depression Looks Different in Men and Women
Depression may present itself differently in men and women. More women are diagnosed with depression than men; this is due to hormonal, biological and social factors. More women tend to seek professional help than men. Depression in women typically appears mostly as feelings of worthless, sadness and guilt. Men more commonly experience depression as feelings of anger and irritability. Men tend to isolate or throw themselves into work. Men are more likely to act recklessly through use of alcohol or drugs or driving carelessly, and use more lethal means when attempting suicide.
If you have thoughts of suicide, text 988 to reach the Crisis and Suicide Lifeline or call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.
Can Depression and Mood Disorders be treated successfully?
Treatment for depression, bipolar and other mood disorders can take several forms such as medication, psychotherapy and brain-based treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Depression is a treatable condition when an individual receives competent care. Medications are very effective in reducing the symptoms of depression in some people. For those who have treatment-resistant depression, the use of ECT and TMS may be necessary. For those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, therapy in combination with medication is the most effective treatment. Our therapists can provide a thorough assessment of your situation, and if necessary, refer you to a psychiatrist who is one of our referral partners.
How Therapy Can Help You Recover from Mood Disorders
Our therapists are highly experienced and skilled in using various approaches to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders. We incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as insight-oriented methods. During your sessions with your therapist, we will work together to uncover the underlying causes of your depression or bipolar disorder. This may include exploring biological factors, life stressors, losses, or significant transitions that could contribute to the development of your mood disorder.
How can our Paraclete therapists assist and support you? We will help you recognize negative thinking patterns that fuel feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and helplessness. Together, we will explore distorted perceptions of yourself and how they affect your relationships. Our goal is to support you in applying new skills to improve your relationships. Additionally, we will guide you in expressing areas where you feel a lack of control and assist you in making new choices that foster greater self-confidence.
