• February 20, 2023
• Center for Developmental Psychiatry

Depression and Mood Swings: What You Need to Know

About one in ten Americans experience depression. When a disorder is this common, you’d expect it to be well understood. On the contrary, depression often causes individuals to isolate themselves, masking the symptoms from their loved ones.

For example, did you know there is a strong link between depression and mood swings?

At the Center for Developmental Psychiatry, we often see mood swings in new patients. This emotional lability almost always improves when an individual begins depression treatment. When you start seeing a depression psychiatrist, you can discuss the most appropriate mode of treatment.

All successful treatment begins with understanding. Read on to learn more about the connection between depression and mood swings and how a psychotherapist can help.

All About Depression

The formal name for depression is “major depressive disorder.” This condition can impact your mood, thoughts, and behavior. The most common symptoms are a low mood and a loss of interest in once enjoyable activities.

We see a range of severity in our depressed patients. Often, individuals experiencing mood changes describe their symptoms during a consultation. It can be surprising to learn that those symptoms are common signs of depression.

The most common depression symptoms include:

• Appetite changes
• Weight loss or gain
• Trouble falling asleep
• Oversleeping
• Daily fatigue
• Inability to sit still
• Fidgeting
• Feelings of guilt
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions

These symptoms must persist for at least two weeks. Some depressed individuals also experience suicidal ideation. Contact a professional immediately if you think you might be a danger to yourself or others.

Depression in Children and Young People

Children’s brains are constantly developing. Thus, symptoms of mood disorders often present differently in youth. This makes depression even more difficult to identify without help from a depression treatment doctor.

Here are some of the ways depression presents in young people:

• Poor school performance
• Quick to anger
• Changes in eating habits
• Waking up in the middle of the night
• Personality changes
• Cry easily
• Low self-esteem
• Critical self-image
• Social withdrawal
• Unexplained physical pain

Remember, these symptoms must represent a significant change from your child’s previous behavior to be symptoms of depression. We recommend bringing your child to see a pediatrician first to rule out underlying medical conditions. Many childhood conditions can mimic these symptoms or cause a depressed mood.

If the doctor refers you to a pediatric doctor for depression, we’ll help confirm the diagnosis at CDP.

What Are Mood Swings?

One of the first symptoms we see in adult and pediatric depression patients is mood swings. Patients often report that they become angry or irritable at the slightest provocation. Sometimes individuals start the day in a neutral mood and quickly transition to extreme sadness.

Initially, patients may worry that they are displaying symptoms of bipolar disorder. Patients are often surprised to learn how common mood fluctuations can be in untreated major depressive disorder.

Mood swings are challenging because they are uncomfortable for the patient and the people around them. Sudden irritability might upset loved ones and lead to isolation. This becomes a vicious cycle, exacerbating low mood and feelings of worthlessness.

Mood swings can sometimes be symptoms of other medical or psychiatric conditions. The psychiatrists at the Center for Developmental Psychiatry are medical doctors. If they suspect your mood swings have an underlying medical cause, they can refer you to an appropriate practitioner for further evaluation.

If depression is causing your mood swings, treatment tends to be highly effective. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward wellness.

Diagnosing Your Mood Disorder

The first step toward managing mood swings is to see a psychiatrist for depression. We’ll begin the process with a consultation. We’ll ask a few questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life.

We may also use formal assessments to better understand your symptoms. These tools help your psychiatrist put your experience in context. It can also provide data that can help us express the severity of your symptoms.

In some cases, we may find that your symptoms describe a related mood condition. Whatever we learn from the consultation and assessments, we’ll move ahead with your treatment.

Treating Depression and Mood Swings

At the CDP, we diagnose and treat various mood disorders in children and adults. We’ll help you identify the specific causes of your symptoms. All our practitioners are medical professionals who provide both psychotherapy and medical support for their patients.

We’ll typically begin treatment with psychotherapy. This will help you form a rapport with your psychiatric professional. As they get to know you, they’ll be able to tailor therapy to meet your unique needs.

Brain chemistry plays a significant role in depression symptoms. Your doctor may decide to prescribe depression medication, such as an antidepressant, to help alleviate symptoms. Some patients experience improvement in as little as a week.

The way you choose to treat your depression is ultimately your decision. Luckily, depression treatment has come a long way, and nearly all of our patients find relief from mood swings and other symptoms.

Find Relief From Mood Swings and Depression

When most people hear “depression,” they think of sadness or lethargy. However, if you’re living with this condition, you recognize its many ups and downs. If you’re struggling with depression and mood swings, this is the perfect time to pursue treatment at a psychotherapy center.

Start by consulting with a depression specialist doctor from the Center for Developmental Psychiatry. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners always make decisions from a comprehensive viewpoint. Schedule your first appointment today and gain control over your moods.