Mood Disorders / Depression Treatment
Adults all over suffer from different mood disorders and it can be frustrating when you don’t feel like your normal self. Here at Alpha Psychiatric Associates, we can help. We offer treatments for a wide variety of mood disorders.
Major Depression
Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting 6.7% (more than 16 million) of American adults each year. Depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can complicate other medical conditions, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide.
Depression can occur to anyone, at any age, and to people of any race or ethnic group. Depression is never a “normal” part of life, no matter what your age, gender or health situation.
While the majority of individuals with depression have a full remission of the disorder with effective treatment,only about a third (35.3%) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional. Too many people resist treatment because they believe depression isn’t serious, that they can treat it themselves or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness.
OCD Treatment
This disorder is associated with periods of both mania and depression, or extreme highs and extreme lows. Treatment can consist of therapy as well as the use of mood stabilizers such as lithium. In some cases, antidepressants may also be used.
There’s a reason babies are called a bundle of joy. But when you are dealing with depression after giving birth, it can be hard to experience this joy in its fullest. This is where we can help. At Alpha Psychiatric Associates, we offer treatment for post-partum depression for women throughout North Carolina. We’ll help you live a meaningful life again.
Post-Partum Depression
Common symptoms for post-partum depression include the following:
- Feeling hopeless, sad, or worthless every day
- Lacking interest and not getting pleasure from day-to-day activities and feeling this way on a regular basis
- Sleeping too little or not enough. You may have a hard time sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
- Trouble eating and problems with weight gain or loss
- Feeling guilty and experiencing low self-esteem
- Either feeling restless and can’t sit still or else sitting quietly and lacking the energy to move
- Unable to properly focus and make decisions
- Feelings of anxiety or worry
- In serious cases, feelings of suicide and death or fleeting fears that you may harm your baby
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you may be suffering from post-partum depression.
Help for Women with Post-Partum Depression
You should never feel ashamed for feeling depressed. Post-partum depression affects many women and is often a result of the body not recovering from childbirth the way it should. The good news is there is help available. You don’t have to live with depression. At Alpha Psychiatric Associates, our caring physicians are skilled at treating post-partum depression. We’ll prevent serious problems from occurring for you and your baby by coming up with a personalized treatment plan that can consist of counseling and proper medication.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Give us a call at Alpha Psychiatric Associates. We offer post-partum depression screenings and can help you live a healthier and happier life.
Cyclothymic Disorder
This condition is characterized by mild mood swings. The lows and highs are not as severe as those associated with bipolar disorder, and treatment can consist of therapy as well as the use of certain mood stabilizers.
Dysthymic Disorder Treatment
This disorder is a mild, yet long-term form of depression. Symptoms tend to last at least 2 years and oftentimes much longer. A feeling of hopelessness and low self-esteem are typical symptoms. A combination of medication and psychotherapy seems to be the most effective.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Adults suffering from this disorder tend to feel depressed during fall and winter months when there is less sunlight. Symptoms include less energy, increased desire to be alone, weight gain, and trouble concentrating. Treatment can consist of antidepressant medications or light therapy (phototherapy).
