What Are Some Causes and Triggers of Mood Disorders?
Professionals don’t fully understand the causes of mood disorders but suspect that it’s a combination of genetic, chemical, and external factors. If you have a close relative with a diagnosis or engage in substance use, you are more likely to develop a mood disorder. Some medical conditions are common comorbidities, and imbalanced brain chemicals can also play a role.
Some mood disorders are consistently present, but in other cases, there are events that can exacerbate or serve as a catalyst. Big life changes, hormone changes, medication alterations, sleep disturbances, or stressful events can create a flare-up of symptoms. Even weather can cause a mood shift – many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and their mood drops when the days get shorter and colder. Having a good sense of your triggers and symptoms will help you navigate through these changes.
What Are Residential Inpatient Treatment Programs for Mood Disorders?
Residential programs for mood disorders provide a structured therapeutic environment in which you are able to stabilize your mood and develop skills to implement into your daily life to help manage symptoms. You reside at the behavioral health facility and receive 24-hour psychiatric care and support.
Inpatient programs involve high-intensity care, where focusing on your treatment program is your full-time job. You will spend significant time in psychotherapy sessions or developing and practicing skills. Residential inpatient programs can also help with co-occurring disorders treatment, holistic mental health treatment, and trauma-informed care.
The length of time spent in an inpatient program for mood disorders varies based on your individual needs and treatment goals. In general, you can expect to spend anywhere from 30 days to 18 months in treatment, depending on your circumstances.
Whether you are suffering from persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, cyclothymic disorder, or one of the other many mood disorders, a residential program for mood disorder treatment is equipped to help you stabilize your mood and manage your symptoms.
How is a Mood Disorder Treated at a Residential Therapy Program in Georgia?
Inpatient mental health treatment for mood disorders will involve a multifaceted approach. This intensive therapy program will provide care in the form of individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric medication management. Since mood disorders often have to do with chemical imbalances in the brain, antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can be extremely beneficial.
Some evidence-based therapy modalities commonly used to treat mood disorders include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), psychodynamic therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (MBCT). These modalities have slightly different approaches, but overall, focus on themes, such as understanding your thoughts and feelings, emotional regulation, and improving interpersonal relationships. The tools and skills you develop through these therapy sessions will help you manage your mood disorder symptoms.