Mood Disorders Service
The Mood Disorders Service of the Department of Psychiatry specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mood or "affective" illnesses. The most common forms of these illnesses are Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
Depression
Depression is more than just a day of feeling low. It is a long-lasting, often recurring illness as real and disabling as heart disease or arthritis. Adults with clinical depression may feel an oppressive sense of sadness, fatigue, loss of pleasure and guilt for weeks and even months on end. These feelings make everyday activities difficult if not impossible; like going to work, caring for our families, and enjoying social and recreational events.
Depression is a common emotional illness. It affects about 10 percent of the U.S. population or more than 17.6 million people every year. One in four women and one in 10 men will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime. Fortunately, modern medical treatment can be very successful for depression. Between 80 to 90 percent of those with depression can be successfully treated.
Common Symptoms of Depression
- Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or having little energy
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Feeling bad about yourself - or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
- Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
- Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual.
- Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way.
Bipolar Illness (or Manic Depression)
Mood changes are a normal part of life. But the roller coaster highs and lows of Bipolar illness are not normal. The moods of a person with Bipolar illness swing from periods of intense elation to periods of intense sadness. In the manic "up" stage, the individual may be so unrealistically self-confident, energized, or hostile, that relationships and careers are severely disrupted. On a destructive high, the person may make irrational decisions that risk personal health, important relationships and even financial security. In the depressed stage, that same person can feel so low, fatigued, and helpless, that any activity may be difficult. Thoughts can even turn to suicide.
Common Symptoms of Mania
- Increased energy
- Inappropriate elation
- Decreased need for sleep; may go days with little or no sleep
- Increased sexual activity
- Uncharacteristic participation in high-risk activities that is likely to lead to painful results, such as spending sprees, over-commitments and gambling.
- Loud, fast or incoherent speech
- Disconnected, racing thoughts
- Extreme irritability
- Exaggerated self-esteem, as though "all-powerful"
- Alcohol of drug abuse
The Mood Disorders Service (MDS) of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Psychiatric Associates
The MDS is staffed by doctors of psychiatry and psychology who specialize in providing state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for depression and bipolar illnesses. Both medications and therapy can relieve symptoms of mood disorders. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are provided by psychologists. Medications are provided by psychiatrists. Antidepressants and "mood stabilizers" (such as Lithium Carbonate) are not habit-forming and have a very low likelihood for abuse. Sometimes the combination of medication and therapy is most helpful.
Effective treatment is available.
The first step in seeking treatment is undergoing a complete diagnostic evaluation. Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, a proper treatment plan can be recommended.