Mood Disorders
but never have I been
a blue calm sea;
I have always been a storm.
Stevie Nicks
Mood Disorders
A mood disorder is typically classified by a mood that persists for a minimum of 2 weeks without abating. However, it can look like a lot of different things:
Invasive, intrusive thoughts
Racing thoughts, panic attacks, or feeling emotionally "numb"
Spontaneous crying, laughing, and/or anger outbursts
Significant changes in appetite and/or sleep
High highs and low lows
A sense of impending doom that won't go away
Inability to focus, sit still, or complete tasks before moving on
These are just a few of the symptoms that can come up when dealing with a mood disorder. Some mood disorders cycle through periodic "episodes" and others are noticeably triggered by a specific life situation or event. Whatever the reason, it is possible to weather the current storm and create a path to whole wellness. Together with your medical team, we can work towards true stabilization to limit the frequency, intensity, and severity of mood disorder episodes.
Personality Disorders
Unlike mood disorders, personality disorders tend to be much more subtle in presentation. Unfortunately, this does not mean they are less difficult to manage; in fact, due to the rigid and deep-rooted beliefs characteristic of personality disorders, they can cause significant distress to clients and their loved ones. Common signs of personality disorder include:
Distorted perception of the people and world around you
Distorted perception of self; inability to see what others see in you/your behavior
A history of dysfunctional relationships with people closest to you, whether that means friends, family, or colleagues
Difficulty regulating your emotions, manipulating other's emotions, or feeling overrun by your emotions
Deep compulsions to act or behavior a certain way such as a need to rebel, be contrary, or be in control
Most importantly, the way that you think, behave, feel, and engage with others is causing you and your loved ones significant distress or problems in your daily life.
Stabilization
Moving to a place of true mental health is a journey with many parts. Those parts can consist of family members, friends, physicians, athletic trainers, faith leaders, teachers, recovery community, mentors, and many others. Working together, we can connect or reconnect you with your support system to develop a plan that nurtures long-lasting stability in your life.