Millions of people around the world struggle with mental health issues, with a substantial proportion of them being diagnosed with mood disorders. Mood disorders are a category of mental health diagnoses that include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. There is a close association between mood disorders and addiction, with many people who suffer from mood disorders such as depression becoming more likely to turn to substances as a way of self-medicating. This can lead to a vicious cycle in which the person becomes both addicted and suffers from a mental health disorder, a situation in which mood disorders treatment is often the only way to recovery.
If you know someone who is struggling with addiction and seems to be down and depressed most of the time, don’t hesitate to seek professional treatment. Living with a mental health diagnosis and substance use disorder at the same time can be incredibly stressful, and people experiencing this type of dual diagnosis need all the support they can get. At San Antonio Recovery Center, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs that take into account each client’s mental health to produce the most effective treatment plan for each individual. We can answer all your questions about treatment. Just call us at and speak to our admissions team.
What Are Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders are mental health diagnoses characterized by persistent alterations in mood. These mental health issues can have a number of different causes, including genetic factors, brain chemistry imbalances, and life events. Some of the most common mood disorders include:
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common type of mood disorder. It is characterized by episodes of depressed mood that last for at least two weeks. People with MDD may experience a variety of symptoms, including loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. MDD can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to function in daily life and can be debilitating if not treated.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of either depressed or elated mood that last for at least one week. People with bipolar disorder may swing back and forth between these two extremes, or they may have long periods of stable mood interspersed with shorter periods of instability.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a less severe form of bipolar disorder that features episodes of hypomania and dysthymia. Hypomania is a period of abnormally elevated mood that lasts for at least four days. Dysthymia is a chronic low-grade depression that lasts for at least two years. People with cyclothymic disorder often have difficulty functioning in their daily lives due to the fluctuations in their mood.
Other Causational Factors
There are a number of different causes of mood disorders. Genetic factors play a role in many cases, as do brain chemistry imbalances and life events. Mood disorders typically arise from a combination of these factors. Treatment for mood disorders typically includes medication or psychotherapy, or some combination of the two. Medication can help to stabilize brain chemistry and reduce the symptoms of mood disorders. Psychotherapy can help people to understand and manage their own mental health.
The Connection Between Mood Disorders and Addiction
There is a complex relationship between mood disorders and addiction. People with mood disorders are more likely to develop addictions, but the reverse is also true. Those who regularly take drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of developing mood disorders. This is because addiction can cause changes in brain chemistry that lead to mood swings and other mental health problems. Not only that, the strain that addiction puts on a person’s relationships can isolate them from support, contributing to the prevalence of mood disorders.
The connection between mood disorders and addiction may be due to a number of factors. One is that people with mood disorders often self-medicate with drugs or alcohol in an attempt to cope with their symptoms. This can lead to addiction, which makes the symptoms of the mood disorder worse. Another factor is that people with addiction are more likely to suffer from traumatic experiences, which can trigger or worsen mood disorders.
It’s important to remember that treatment for both mood disorders and addiction is readily available and can be very affordable with insurance. Treatment can provide emotional support and practical advice for managing both conditions.
Enter a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program at San Antonio Recovery Center
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we have dual diagnosis treatments that can address mental health issues and any co-occurring addictions. Our compassionate and professional staff members provide holistic care to ensure long-term recovery for our clients. We offer both holistic and evidence-based therapies, including:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- EMDR
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Contact us at and we can tell you more about all our treatment options.
