Treating Affective (Mood) Disorders

Affective disorders are disorders of mood. One is depression. Another is bipolar disorder (also called manic depression). They are often treated with medicines and therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can tell you more about treatments that can help you. A hospital or mental health clinic can also provide help.

Treatments for depression

Depression is a common mood disorder. It causes a person to feel sad, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. It makes you lose interest in things that used to give pleasure. Treatment includes medicines and talk therapy. Antidepressant medicines change levels of brain chemicals to help a person feel better. Talk therapy involves speaking with a trained counselor about your thoughts. Most people with depression do best when they use both medicine and talk therapy. In cases where other treatments don’t work, a treatment called electroconvulsive therapy or ECT may be suggested. This uses electric impulses to ease depression. There are different types of depression and your treatment options will depend on the type of depression you have. In some cases treatment may be short-term (6 months or less). In other cases medicines may be needed on a long-term basis.

Treatments for bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder have intense mood swings. They move between deep sadness and out-of-control highs. Bipolar disorder is a serious, complex chronic illness. And just like diabetes or heart disease, requires lifetime management. This condition is treated with medicines such as lithium. It helps even out moods and prevents mood swings. If lithium is not appropriate, a medicine that works in a similar way may be used instead. Talk therapy can also help. This involves talking to a trained counselor about feelings and relationships, and managing your bipolar illness. He or she can give support during tough times.