Mood Disorders

If your mood or emotional state feels inconsistent, distorted, or is impacting your daily life, you may be suffering from a mood disorder. David Kalkstien, MD, PhD, and the experienced team of providers at David Kalkstein & Associates diagnose and treat mood disorders at locations in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The practice offers comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and cutting-edge treatments to manage and improve mood disorders for adults of all ages. Call the friendly staff today or reach out online to book a consultation.

What is a mood disorder? 

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that affects your emotional state and behavior in the external world. You may experience extended periods of intense joy, sadness, or both. Certain mood disorders include other constant emotions like irritability and anger. 

What are the types of mood disorders and their symptoms?

Mood disorders often go misdiagnosed. The providers at David Kalkstein & Associates take special care to perform comprehensive psychological evaluations before diagnosing your mood disorder. 

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder may include the presence of five of nine symptoms such as: 

• Sad mood
• Sleep loss 
• Feelings of guilt 
• Low energy levels 
• Trouble concentrating 
• Changes in appetite 
• Loss of motivation or pleasure 
• Pacing, racing thoughts, or speech
• Suicidal ideation 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a depressive mood disorder that causes symptoms a week before your period.

Substance-induced mood disorder

Certain medications, drug misuse, alcoholism, or exposure to toxins can lead to symptoms of depression. 

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a chronic, low-grade, irritable, or depressed mood lasting at least 2 years. 

Bipolar disorder 

Depending on if you have bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymic disorder, you may experience a combination of manic, depressed, or hypomania symptoms, including: 

• Elevated mood 
• Reckless behavior 
• Grandiosity 
• Distractibility 
• Racing thoughts or speech 
• Periods of intense sadness 
• Anger or irritability
• Sleep loss  

Symptoms can last anywhere from several hours to months. 

How are mood disorders treated?

When developing your customized treatment plan, your provider is transparent about each treatment’s benefits and risks. 

Medications 

Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase serotonin levels in your brain, helping with depression and depressive episodes. 

If you have bipolar disorder with mania or hypomania, you may benefit from atypical antipsychotic drugs. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or interpersonal therapy (IPT) help you restore healthy views of yourself or your environment and develop interpersonal relationship skills. 

Brain stimulation 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivers magnetic pulses into your brain that improve nerve cell activity in areas that regulate mood. 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that passes a mild electric current through your brain, causing a short seizure. ECT has positive effects on treatment-resistant mood disorders. 

Your provider may also encourage lifestyle changes like yoga and meditation, quitting smoking, and adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. 

To book a consultation, call David Kalkstein & Associates today or reach out online.