What Are Mood Disorders?

Type Of Depression Treatment in Seattle:

Treatment for any mental illness, including Depression and other Mood Disorders, is unique to the individual’s needs. Most therapists will be able to provide multiple forms of therapeutic intervention to best fit the individual’s needs and circumstances. Below are some common therapeutic interventions for treating anxiety:

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a very well-known treatment that it is very effective. As the name suggests, CBT is a therapy focused on identifying the individual’s thoughts (aka cognitions), emotions, and subsequent behaviors. The therapist and client talk through the connection between all three elements, patterns and cycles that keep the client stuck, and ways to change one or multiple elements in order to effect positive change in the client’s life. Worksheets, journaling, and homework assignments are commonly used in this modality.

Dialectic Behavioral Therapy:

DBT is a treatment intervention designed to teach clients how to change uncomfortable emotional experiences through increasing awareness, finding acceptance, and learning tools for distress tolerance. DBT can be delivered in a combination of group and individual sessions, as well as phone coaching sessions by the therapist. Within an individual session, the DBT therapist can teach DBT skills, explore any obstacles the individual may come across when trying to practice these skills, and serve as a coach for skills training.

Mindfulness

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a current world leader in mindfulness, says that Mindfulness is awareness that arises through “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” This practice of controlling where and what your mind is focused on is an incredibly helpful way to manage your mood. Mindfulness teaches you how to stay in the present moment, rather than dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, and is a very effective depression treatment. Mindfulness also teaches you how to be present in the body, which can help you become aware of and regulate your emotions. This therapy will focus on practices added into the daily life including meditations, brief check-ins on the body and mind, and observing external and internal sensations. 

Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)

ACT uses mindful approaches to awareness and acceptance of the present moment with a pragmatic approach of identifying your values and making committed action towards those values. It works to help the individual accept their symptoms, rather than avoiding or fighting against it, and then moving forward with practices focused on change, self-care, and self-compassion. 

Somatic Therapy:

Somatic Therapy, such as yoga, mindfulness, and felt sensing, are practices that help the individual use their body as a guide and are great for managing physical and cognitive symptoms of anxiety. These practices work to quiet the mind by focusing on breathing, releasing tension from the body, and creating connection to the body’s sensations through gentle movement. 

Medication:

There are many different medications available to treat Mood Disorders, including anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and mood-stabilizers. The most common medications for mood disorders are anti-depressants called Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, and many more. These medications tend to work very well, but they do take time to see an effect, usually about 4-6 weeks.

Medication is not a one-size-fits all. If you choose to take medication to treat a Mood Disorder you will need to work closely with your prescriber to find the right fit. Please make sure to take your medication as prescribed.

If you are unsure about medication or if it is right for you, our team of licensed therapy can help you explore if medication may be a helpful adjunct to depression treatment and therapy in Seattle.