Mood Disorders

St. Luke's Healthcare

Internal Medicine, Primary Care & Addiction Medicine located in Mid-City, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mandeville, Denham Springs, Hammond & Abbeville, LA

A mood disorder can seriously alter your emotional state and cause you to feel hopeless about the present and future. Fortunately, personalized evaluations and treatment are available with Kristen Ducote, MD, and the rest of the team at St. Luke’s Healthcare in Mid-City Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Abbeville, Hammond, and Lafayette, Louisiana. Set up your appointment for a mood disorder evaluation over the phone or online today.

Mood Disorders Q & A

Mood Disorders Service

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders comprise a category of mental condition and affect your emotions. They can distort the way you interpret your thoughts and the goings-on around you. This can disrupt your ability to function and complete some of your day-to-day tasks, from brushing your teeth to important assignments at work or school.

The St. Luke’s Healthcare team can diagnose mood disorders and work with you to successfully manage them. Some of the most common examples of mood disorders are:

Depression

Depression is the most common of the mood disorders and includes several different types, like major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It causes long periods of sadness and feelings of hopelessness, often coupled with trouble focusing, irritability, insomnia, and other symptoms.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that alternates between periods of depression and periods of elation called mania. There are also a few different types of bipolar disorder, and your provider at St. Luke’s Healthcare can give you details about your specific diagnosis.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a mood disorder that women can get, with symptoms that arise a few days before their menstrual period but go away when the period starts. Irritability and sadness are common symptoms.

What are some early signs of a mood disorder?

The signs and symptoms of mood disorders vary based on the specific disorder, and they also vary between individuals. Emotions, and their fluctuations, are a normal part of the human experience, but you should pay attention to their patterns and how they affect you.

You should consider making an appointment for a mood disorder evaluation at St. Luke’s Healthcare if:

Your emotions interfere with your work
Your emotions interfere with your social life or relationships
You struggle with alcohol or substance use
You have suicidal thoughts or ideations

If thoughts or plans of suicide are among your concerns, you should consider seeking emergency care instead of waiting for an appointment.

How are mood disorders usually treated?

Treating mood disorders usually involves a combination of medications, like mood stabilizers or antidepressants, and psychotherapy. Your physician at St. Luke’s Healthcare can monitor your outcome with both or either.

You should keep in mind that you might not notice a difference right away while taking your medications, but consistent and correct use can have positive results.

Your physician explores the causes and contributing factors with your mood disorder while planning your treatment, which might include trauma, stress, or chronic illness.

The St. Luke’s Healthcare team conducts evaluations for mood disorders. Set up your appointment for a personal, private mood disorder evaluation at St. Luke’s Healthcare by phone or online today.