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Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders services offered in New York, NY


Mood disorders are mental health conditions affecting how a person feels, leading to behaviors that affect their ability to manage routine activities. At Fifth Ave Psychiatry, PLLC, in the Flatiron District of Manhattan in New York City, board-certified psychiatrist David Kraus, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating mood disorders. Find out more about mood disorders by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online today.

What are mood disorders?

Mood disorders are severe mental health conditions that cause changes in a person’s emotional state. These emotional changes are severe and prolonged, affecting a person’s ability to manage their daily life.

Many factors contribute to developing a mood disorder, including genetics and environment. Having a parent with a mood disorder is a significant risk factor in developing your own mood disorder.

What kinds of mood disorders are there?

There are many kinds of mood disorders. The more common include:

Major depression

Major depression is a mood disorder causing constant sadness and hopelessness, making it hard to manage routine things like eating and going to work.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a mood disorder that causes a low mood during the months of the year when there’s less daylight time. Symptoms usually appear in the fall or early winter and disappear in the spring or summer.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)

PDD is a chronic depression that causes a low mood that lasts two or more years. People with PDD often experience episodes of major depression.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder. It’s characterized by extreme mood swings between periods of emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

What can I expect during a mood disorder consultation?

You can expect a patient-centered evaluation when you see Dr. Kraus at Fifth Ave Psychiatry, PLLC, for help with a mood disorder. He asks detailed questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. He also reviews your medical and mental health history and your family history.

Dr. Kraus conducts a psychological exam to better understand how you think and feel, which helps him create your personalized treatment plan.

How are mood disorders treated?

Dr. Kraus customizes your mood disorder treatment plan based on your diagnosis and how severe your symptoms are. Treatment can include behavioral health medication management, psychotherapy, or both.

Behavioral health medication management

Dr. Kraus specializes in behavioral health medication management and can recommend antidepressants or mood stabilizers to treat mood disorders.

Dr. Kraus also provides in-office ketamine treatment with Spravato® for patients with depression symptoms that fail to respond to traditional therapies.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can include various therapies that help you understand your mood disorder and change your distorted views of yourself or your environment.

Mood disorders are serious but treatable mental health conditions. Call Fifth Ave Psychiatry, PLLC, or book an appointment online today for expert care by a highly skilled psychiatrist.