Mood disorders involve disturbances in emotional regulation, affecting thoughts, behaviors, and overall well-being. Individuals may experience prolonged periods of extreme sadness, mood swings, or elevated moods that disrupt daily life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Medication Management (Antidepressants, Mood Stabilizers)
Lifestyle Modifications
Psychoeducation
Mindfulness and Meditation
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings between depressive episodes and manic (high-energy) episodes.
Manic Episodes:
Depressive Episodes:
Most new mothers experience “baby blues,” lasting up to two weeks. However, postpartum depression is more severe and can last up to a year.
Depression is a chronic mood disorder that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest in life. It affects thoughts, emotions, and behavior, making daily activities difficult.
In children:
Anxiety stems from fear, which is a normal response to danger. However, people with anxiety disorders experience intense, excessive, and persistent worry about everyday situations. This can make life difficult and impact relationships, work, and daily activities.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Exposure Therapy
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Medication Management (Anti-anxiety medications, Antidepressants)
Lifestyle Modifications
Psychoeducation
Stress Management Techniques
GAD can develop in childhood or adulthood. It is a long-term condition that may coexist with other anxiety or mood disorders. However, it can improve with psychotherapy, CBT, and schema therapy.
Feeling nervous in social situations (e.g., public speaking, first days at school/work) is normal. However, social anxiety disorder causes extreme fear of everyday interactions due to self-consciousness and fear of negative judgment.
This can lead to avoidance of social situations, disrupting relationships, work, and daily life.
Panic attacks happen suddenly, often without warning. They can occur anywhere—while driving, walking, in a meeting, or even while sleeping.
A major challenge is the intense fear of when another attack may happen.
OCD involves unwanted thoughts (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Individuals feel compelled to act on these compulsions to reduce anxiety, even if they try to ignore them.
Common themes include excessive concern about germs, leading to repetitive handwashing.
PTSD is caused by exposure to traumatic events. While many people recover over time, others struggle with persistent symptoms that affect their quality of life.
Symptoms may appear within three months of the event or even years later.
For children under 6:
These disorders involve enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate from cultural expectations. They affect how individuals perceive themselves and others, impacting relationships and daily functioning.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Psychoeducation
Nutritional Counseling (for Eating Disorders)
Medication Management
Support Groups and Peer Support
BPD affects self-image, relationships, and emotions, often leading to impulsive behaviors and intense mood swings.
Drug dependance is the act of continuing to use drugs (legal and/or illegal) despite the significant physical or psychological problems resulting from the use.
Usually, individuals with repeated use of drugs gain high tolerance for them which requires more use of a drug in order to actually be affected by the drug again.
When stopping the drug or quitting it, an individual will experience withdrawl and might lead to compulsive drug-taking.
Eating disorders involve unhealthy eating habits due to distorted body image or emotional distress.
Extreme weight loss efforts that may become life-threatening.
Symptoms: Weakness, extreme weight loss, feeling cold, stomach pain, trouble focusing.
Treatment: Psychotherapy, Talk Therapy
Uncontrollable overeating, often leading to guilt and restrictive dieting, which worsens binge episodes.
Symptoms: Overeating, hiding food, feeling shame or guilt.
Treatment: CBT, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Binge-eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives) due to guilt and body image concerns.
Symptoms: Mood swings, fear of weight gain, purging, fasting, dehydration.
Treatment: CBT, Family-Based Therapy
Extreme avoidance of food due to sensory issues or fear of choking.
Symptoms: Limited eating, low appetite, malnutrition.
Treatment: CBT, Responsive Feeding Therapy