Successfully managing a mood disorder requires genuine effort from the individual diagnosed with the condition. A second component of tackling mood disorders is the aid of mental health professionals offering the most effective treatment for your needs. Supportive relationships with loved ones can also significantly improve treatment outcomes.Karma Doctors & Associates is a premier psychiatric practice in Palm Desert and the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Our experienced team offers hope for a better tomorrow with outpatient, evidence-based mental health treatments for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders.Read these tips from our group about helping a loved one with a mood disorder.
Investigate the facts about mood disorders
Mood disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Symptoms vary per individual and disorder type. Learning about the illness your loved one lives with can offer invaluable insight, including supporting them through a flare-up of symptoms.The most common mood disorders include:
Major depression, feeling sad or hopeless for more than two weeks
Dysthymia, causing a lower level but chronic depressed or irritable mood for two or more years
Bipolar disorder, causing depression alternating with periods of mania or elevated mood
Depression due to adverse effects of substance abuse, prescribed medication, or exposure to toxins
Mood disorders related to a chronic health condition such as cancer or heart disease
For reliable information, check quality sources such as those supplied by your loved one’s mental health professional or nationally recognized resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Encourage professional help for a mood disorder
Mood disorders are complex, requiring more than a simple change in attitude. Suggestions such as “think positive” or “look on the bright side” are unhelpful and sometimes detrimental. Instead, encourage your loved one to seek the professional help and support they deserve to help them face and overcome the challenges of mood disorders.At Karma Doctors & Associates, we perform a psychiatric evaluation and then design a personalized treatment plan for your loved one’s mood disorder. The plan may include medications, psychotherapy, family therapy, and innovative therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We also focus on building a strategy that restores hope and confidence for living life to its fullest.
Remember you can’t “fix” your loved one’s mood disorder
Offering support doesn’t mean fixing your loved one’s problems. Instead, ask if there are ways you can help. You may, for instance, spend an afternoon helping your friend create a daily schedule that meets their needs and reduces stress. In addition, simply making yourself available for a listening session (without judging or giving advice) can ensure your loved one knows you’re part of their team. Create a trusting relationship that allows you to express concern if you notice signs of a setback, manic episode, or another issue. Other ways to support rather than fix include reminding your loved one of their positive qualities and importance in your life. Routine walks, lunch dates, or shopping trips together give you time to check in and connect. However, avoid becoming so invested in their problems that you ignore your own physical and emotional well-being.Also, encourage them to continue their treatment and contact their provider when they’re experiencing issues. Depending on your relationship, you may also benefit from a group or family session with your loved one’s therapist to explore additional insight about supporting their treatment strategy.Schedule a visit at Karma Doctors & Associates today for more information about mood disorders and other conditions we treat. Call our nearest office or request an appointment online.
