Mood Disorders
When persistent changes in mood affect your ability to function, effective treatment can help you recover your energy, motivation, and joy.
When Mood changes your life
When sadness doesn't lift. When energy has evaporated and even things you used to enjoy feel flat or pointless. When getting out of bed feels like a monumental task—or when your mood swings so dramatically that life feels unpredictable and exhausting.
If you're experiencing persistent changes in mood that are affecting your ability to function, you may be dealing with a mood disorder. These conditions are more than just "feeling down" or "being moody"—they're clinical conditions that cause real suffering and disruption.
Mood disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide—but they're also highly treatable. With the right support and evidence-based treatment, people recover their energy, their motivation, and their ability to fully participate in life.
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Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is commonly known as “manic depression.” The disorder is subdivided into Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience episodes of abnormally elevated mood called manic episodes. These episodes can consist of a decreased need for sleep, excessive energy, rapid speech, and feeling like one’s mind is racing. Individuals can be irritable, engage in confrontations with others or become aggressive, demonstrate poor judgment, and may engage in behaviors that appear out of character, such as spending sprees or risk taking behavior. Risk taking behaviors can include substance use or risky sexual behavior. A milder version of a manic episode is referred to as “hypomania.”
During a depressive episode, an individual typically suffers from a change in mood (depressed, sad, anxious, empty), feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, pessimism, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, decreased energy; changes in sleep and appetite; difficulty concentrating and remembering, feeling restless or irritable, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide or death.
To be diagnosed with Bipolar I, the individual must have experienced or currently be experiencing a manic episode. To be diagnosed with Bipolar II, the individual must have experienced or currently experiencing a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode.
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Major Depressive Disorder
What is Major Depressive Disorder?
Major Depressive Disorder is a multifaceted disorder characterized by mood disturbance in combination with behavioral difficulties (social isolation, sleep and appetite disturbance) and cognitive dysfunction (poor concentration and memory). Clinical depression goes beyond the normal reaction to negative life circumstances, such as divorce, illness or loss of a significant other. A significant number of patients with major depressive disorder respond to a combination of antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy, with research indicating that the most effective psychotherapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Persons of all ages can suffer from depression, including adults, children and the elderly. Studies estimate the prevalence rates of depression for adult women to be between 5-9% and for adult men 2-3%.
Estimates also suggest that 3-6 million children suffer from depression although the disorder may be vastly under identified and under treated, especially when symptoms overlap with other disorders, such as hyperactivity, school problems or somatic concerns. Depression in children may be indicated by symptoms similar to those seen in adults, such as hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. Some symptoms are more characteristic of childhood depression such as excessive dependency on adults, difficulties in school, behavioral problems, listlessness, bed-wetting, fatigue and bodily complaints.
Some data suggests that depression in older adults is also grossly underestimated. Symptoms of depression in the elderly are frequently incorrectly diagnosed as senility and other disorders associated with advanced age because of symptoms such as memory loss, confused thinking or apathy. Additionally, inconsistent sleeping patterns and reduced appetite, often occurring in this age group independent of depression, may in fact be signs of depression. Depression in the elderly may also manifest via multiple physical complaints, such as aches and pains.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) is considered a more chronic but less severe depression than major depression. Individuals with dysthymia experience many of the same symptoms as an individual in a major depressive episode but to a lesser degree. In order to be diagnosed with dysthymia, an individual must suffer from the symptoms for at least 2 years. During the 2 year period, the symptoms cannot be absent for more than 2 consecutive months. Individuals with dysthymia can also experience a major depressive disorder, and this is commonly called a “double depression.”
Mood disorders we treat:
These are mood disorders we treat:
Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness lasting at least two weeks.
Manic episodes lasting at least 7 days (or requiring hospitalization) alternating with major depressive episodes. Requires medication management and therapy.
Hypomanic episodes (less severe than full mania) and major depressive episodes. Depression is often the more impairing phase.
Chronic depression lasting two years or more. Symptoms may be less severe than major depression but more persistent—a constant low-grade cloud.
Depression that follows a seasonal pattern, typically beginning in fall/winter and lifting in spring/summer. Related to reduced light exposure.
Severe mood symptoms occurring in the week before menstruation. Depression, irritability, and anxiety significantly interfere with functioning.
Understanding Manic episodes
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression because people typically seek help during depressive episodes, not manic ones. Accurate diagnosis is critical.
Manic and hypomanic symptoms include: Elevated or irritable mood, dramatically decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts and rapid speech, increased activity and agitation, impulsive or risky behavior, and grandiose thinking.
Hypomanic episodes are less severe than full mania and may feel good initially—increased energy and productivity. But they often escalate, leading to consequences. Accurate diagnosis is essential because medication management is necessary for managing manic and hypomanic episodes.
Our team includes psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who coordinate care alongside therapists to address medication and behavioral needs together.
Ready to explore treatment?
A consultation can help you understand what's happening and what options are available. You don't need to have a diagnosis to seek help.
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How We treat Mood Disorders
At Bio Behavioral Institute, we use evidence-based approaches that address the full picture of your experience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies and changes the thought and behavior patterns that maintain depression.
Behavioral Activation systematically increases engagement in activities that bring pleasure or accomplishment—breaking the cycle of withdrawal that deepens depression.
DBT Skills teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance techniques, particularly helpful for managing intense mood states and co-occurring conditions like anxiety and eating disorders.
Interpersonal Therapy focuses on relationship patterns and social support to improve mood. For bipolar disorder, medication management is coordinated with therapy.
When to seek professional help
Reach out if any of these feel familiar.
Your Mood Is Interfering
Depression or mood swings are affecting work, relationships, or daily functioning. You've lost interest in things that used to matter.
You're Withdrawing
Isolating from friends and family. Avoiding activities. The world getting smaller as motivation fades.
Thoughts of Harm
Experiencing thoughts of death or self-harm. Mood swings are making life feel unpredictable or out of control.
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A panic attack is a sudden, intense episode of anxiety with physical and psychological symptoms, peaking within minutes. To manage one, use breathing exercises and grounding techniques; afterwards, seek support or clinical help.
You can experience life again. Let’s take steps together.
At Bio Behavioral Institute, we’re here to be your team and get you back to the life you deserve. Schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a more meaningful life.
Call our office at 516-487-7116 or complete the form to schedule your consultation.