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Mood Disorders

Living with a mood disorder can impact your daily life. We specialize in treating mood disorders and can help you balance your emotions.

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause you to experience severe sadness and fluctuations in mood, often marked by extreme highs and lows.

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What are mood disorders?

While everyone can feel sad or depressed at times, people with mood disorders have extreme mood swings that can last weeks or months. These periods can make concentrating difficult and impact work, relationships, finances and family.

We are experts at diagnosing and treating people with mood disorders. Medications and therapy can help manage your feelings and strengthen your ability to cope with life's challenges. You can count on us to work with you to find the right treatment to stabilize your mood.

If you or someone you know talks about hurting themselves, getting help right away is crucial. You can call 911, go to the closest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline by calling or texting 988.

Senior couple sitting on couch together while one partner comforts the other partner who suffers from a mood disorder (depression).
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Conditions

It's important to know that mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder can affect anyone, no matter their age. They may run in families and be passed down through genetics. However, outside factors like stress, traumatic experiences, or difficult life events such as losing a job or divorce can also contribute to or worsen these conditions. It's always a good idea to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with a mood disorder.

Bipolar disorder
Cyclothymia
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Hypomania
Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

These disorders are serious medical illnesses and disorders of the brain. It's more than feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. Feelings persist and interfere with everyday life. Symptoms include:

  • Sadness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Change in weight
  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
  • Energy loss
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
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Testing

We can accurately diagnose mood disorders through different tests, including:

  • Psychiatric assessment
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Mood charting
  • Blood work
  • Imaging
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Treatments

Having a mood disorder may seem overwhelming, but there are effective treatments that can help get your symptoms under control. Depending on your needs, we may recommend the following:

  • Medications (such as mood stabilizers)
  • Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
Anasuya Gunturi MD, PhD talks with patient at Lowell General Hospital's Women's Wellness Center clinic appointment.
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From regular office visits to inpatient stays, find the healthcare you need and deserve close to home.

Paul Summergrad, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center, consults with a patient.
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