Mood disorders are a category of mental health issues characterized by extreme, persistent changes in mood. There are several main types of mood disorders:
- Major depressive disorder: Also known as clinical depression, this involves feeling sad, hopeless, and disinterested in life for at least 2 weeks. Symptoms include:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest
- Changes in appetite and sleep
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide
- Bipolar disorder: This causes dramatic shifts between high and low moods. There are different types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I involves periods of mania - feeling energetic, ambitious, and impulsive - alternating with depression
- Bipolar II involves less extreme mania known as hypomania, alternating with depression
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): This is characterized by depression that starts in the fall/winter when daylight hours are fewer. Symptoms resolve in spring/summer.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: This involves chronic, severe irritability in children.
If you or a loved one struggle with frequent mood swings, depression, or hard-to-treat irritability, the compassionate mental health professionals at Renew Hormone Clinic can help. Our integrative psychiatrists specialize in using bioidentical hormone therapy to lift mood, boost energy, improve focus, and regulate emotion.
We offer science-backed natural treatments without risky side effects to help you feel balanced, hopeful, and well.
What causes mood disorders? Experts don't know exactly what causes them, but these factors likely play a role:
- Brain chemistry imbalances - Depression and bipolar disorder both involve imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Environmental factors and genetics may contribute.
- Hormone changes - Fluctuations in reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and stress hormones may trigger mood episodes. That's why therapies balancing hormones can be very effective.
- Stress - Chronic stress and traumatic events can overwork mood-regulating systems.
- Medical conditions - Conditions like thyroid disease or chronic inflammation are linked to higher rates of mood disorders.
The good news? Mood disorders are highly treatable with comprehensive care like that offered at
Renew Hormone Clinic. Lifestyle changes to diet, exercise, sleep and stress can make a big difference too. With an integrative approach combining therapy, balanced hormones, nutrition and self-care, most people with mood issues can feel much better and regain control of their mental health.