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Mood disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder, are characterized by persistent changes in mood, energy, and behavior that affect a person’s daily life. Common symptoms may include emotional highs and lows, depressive episodes, changes in sleep patterns, and shifts in energy levels.
Mood Disorder diagnoses are complex and need to come from a qualified clinician.
The most common treatments involve medication, therapy, or both.
A thorough diagnosis from a clinician, like a psychiatrist, will let you know if what you’re feeling is consistent with a condition.
A common mood disorder marked by ongoing feelings of sadness or loss of interest that interfere with daily life.
Can include:
Involve extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, ranging from depressive lows to manic or hypomanic highs.
Can include:
A less extreme form of bipolar disorder involving frequent mood swings between mild depression and hypomanic symptoms.
Can include:
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects mood, energy, and daily functioning.
Can include:
There is no single test for mood disorders. Any diagnosis comes from an in-depth evaluation and discussion with a licensed provider trained in mental health. At Talkiatry, these evaluations happen online in one-on-one visits with a highly trained psychiatric clinician.
You’ll meet virtually with your provider to talk about what you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your daily life. They’ll also ask questions about your medical and clinical history.
Your provider will assess your condition and if it’s consistent with diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5, provide a diagnosis. They’ll also help you take stock of your strengths and coping skills as well as your support network.
If you are diagnosed with a mood disorder, or any other condition, they’ll work with you on a plan that’s tailored to your needs so you can stick with it. It can include medication, therapy, or both.
Effective care can involve a combination of approaches. Your specific plan will be tailored to your specific needs, symptoms and goals.
There are safe and effective medications that can help regulate mood and improve functioning. Your provider may prescribe mood stabilizers, antidepressants, or antipsychotics.
Therapeutic techniques can help you process and respond to symptoms. Common approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and talk therapy.
Improving sleep, nutrition, and physical activity can help stabilize mood and support overall well-being.
For treatment-resistant symptoms you may be referred to outside providers for other treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
“I recommend Talkiatry to anyone that will listen. The benefits this network has provided me in such a short time are priceless and immeasurable.”
Nancy L., Ohio
“She is very relatable. She is mindful of cost of my medications.”
Joseph D., Colorado
“Great experience! Provider was ready early which was amazing and honestly never happens. Really appreciate honoring a patient’s time.”
Jennifer C., Texas
The treatment plan you create with your provider will be tailored to your specific needs and goals. Treatment for mood disorders can involve a combination of the following evidence-based approaches:
Mood disorders are a range of conditions that involve prolonged changes or swings in someone’s mood, behavior, or energy levels. These symptoms are significant enough to affect a person’s dailylife. The most common types include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and cyclothymic disorder.
A diagnosis involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation. You provider will ask about your clinical history, review your symptoms, and talk through other factor that may be impacting your mood. They’ll consult standard diagnostic criteria, like the DSM-5, and provide a diagnosis. At Talkiatry, our psychiatrists provide virtual evaluations and use standardized tools to ensure accurate, evidence-based diagnoses.
Yes, medication is often a key part of treatment for mood disorders. Depending on your diagnosis, a psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotic medications to help manage symptoms. These medications can reduce emotional highs and lows, improve daily functioning, and support long-term stability.
At Talkiatry, licensed psychiatrists evaluate your symptoms and medical history before developing a medication plan tailored to your needs—all through virtual care.
While both conditions affect mood, bipolar disorder and depression present differently.
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder):
Bipolar Disorder:
Accurate diagnosis is essential, as treatment differs between these two conditions.
You should consider seeing a mental health provider if mood swings are:
Mood swings may be a sign of a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder or disruptive mood dysregulation, and early evaluation can lead to better outcomes. Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatric evaluations to help you understand your symptoms and get appropriate care.
Lifestyle changes can play a significant role in managing mood disorder symptoms and supporting overall mental health. Evidence-based strategies include:
These changes are a great complement to other clinical treatments. Lifestyle changes in conjunction with medication and/or therapy are particularly effective.
The Talkiatry branded Psychiatry practice is independently owned and operated by a licensed Psychiatrist. For more information about the relationship see our About page.
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