Mood Disorders - Pediatrics and Adults
Approximately 7% of adults in the United States have depression, while about 2.8% have bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are commonly seen in children and adolescents — approximately 15% have any mood disorder.
A mood disorder is a condition that primary affects your emotional state and can lead to short term-bursts of really intense and overwhelming emotions, long-term experiences of low-grade negative emotions where you never quite feel happy, or long-term periods of intense and overwhelming emotions. The emotions can be extreme happiness (and impulsivity), sadness, or both and can involve other emotions such as anger, irritability, guilt, shame, or anxiety.
Changes in mood are normal (e.g., sadness with leaving for college), but if the mood changes are long-term, too intense, or lead to problematic behaviors or other unpleasant experiences such as impulsivity, suicide, lack of motivation, poor sleep, disruptions in relationships, work, or school, then it might be a mood disorder.
Mood disorders are often comorbid with other disorders such as anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders , and ADHD, and can lead to serious problems when untreated.
There are several different mood disorders and they can present in different ways:
Depression
Postpartum depression
Persistent depressive disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar I and II
Cyclothymia disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Disurptive mood dysregulation disorder
Effective treatments offered at PBH include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Behavioral Activation (BA)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Does this sound like you or a loved one?
Depressive Disorder
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Persistent sadness (empty, teary, hopeless)
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Loss of interest (hobbies don't bring joy, social withdrawal)
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Fatigue (low energy or tired a lot)
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Changes in appetite (eating more or less than usual)
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Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not sleep much)
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Cognitive trouble (can't concentrate, focus, or make simple decisions)
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Apathy (just don't care anymore)
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Irritability or "on edge" (most of the time)
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Severe thoughts (recurring thoughts of death or suicide)
Bipolar Disoder
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Elevated mood (extreme, unrealistic sense of euphoria, power, or high optimims)
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High energy (high activity or restless energy despite little sleep)
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Racing thoughts (rapid speech, unable to slow mind, talking fast or pressured speech)
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Impulsive behaviors (taking unusual risks, spending too much, driving reckless, impulsive sex, or drug use)
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Extreme shifts of moods accompanied by dysregulated thoughts and behaviors
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
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Mood symptoms are much more intense than standard premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
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Disrupts school, work, or relationship
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Significant mood changes (depression, anxiety, panic, irritable, hopeless)
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Behavior shifts (tearfulness, loss of interest, brain fog (can't concentrate), severe fatigue
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Physical signs (breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headaches, changes in sleep and appetite, feeling bloated,
Pediatric - Disuptive Mood Dysregulation Disoder (6-18 years of age)
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Severe outbursts (frequent verbal or behavioral temper outbursts (physical aggression))
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Outbursts happen 3 or more times a week
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Constant irritability or anger (most of the day, nearly every day)
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Long duration (12+ months)
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Mood dysregulation across multiple settings
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Argumentative and oppositional across multiple settings and across different individuals
Specialists on our Team
Our team of mood disorder specialists at PBH is highly trained in providing evidence-based therapies tailored to individuals across different mood disorders.
With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of each client, our clinicians offer compassionate, individualized care designed to foster communication, social connection, and personal growth.
