By: James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC
Senior Staff Therapist,
The Family Institute at Northwestern University
How to Manage your Mood.
This material will not resolve all the issues associated with mood disorders without professional intervention. My goal here is to begin the process of identification and education. I want to help familiarize you with symptoms, terminology, facts, and related issues. I would also like to aid you in managing and coping with your disorder and to help you minimize the impact that it has on your daily life and relationships.
Historically, mood disorders have been prevalent in a large segment of the American population. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about one in seven people in the United States have a diagnosis of mental disorder. So ultimately, if you have a mood disorder you are not alone. Surely, you or someone you know, and love struggles with a mood disorder. Together, we will explore ways to bring your life back to balance.
In all, I have over 40 years of experience as a clinician, speaker and continuing education provider. I’ve seen a lot of issues, counseled a lot of people, and helped people cope with some of the most severe mental health issues out there. I certainly haven’t seen it all, and I’ve learned enough after 40 years to know that I haven’t and never will. What I have seen are mood disorders and marital conflicts of all kinds. And yes, there are ways to better manage your life and your marriage. I will share tools to manage your symptoms and improve your relationships.
There are common symptoms and issues associated with a diagnosis of mood disorder. I will use these common themes and present useful tools to help guide one toward their goals.
Many symptoms of depression and other mood disorders are commonly associated with marital and family conflict, sleep issues, irritability, anxiety, panic, OCD, social dysfunction, and alcohol and substance abuse or dependence. These symptoms may vary from person to person as the specific diagnosis indicates but essentially the management issues remain the same. One needs to: accept that there is an issue, learn to identify symptoms as such, learn coping skills which will ultimately improve many of your communication and relationship issues.
However, you have come to this piece, there is no doubt you are dealing with issues in your life for which you need help. We all experience issues in life that are difficult – that is a part of life’s journey. There is simply no way to avoid stress in society today. Seek professional help! You will need to understand your disorder and its impacts on your life. Then you will need to learn the tools to manage it consistently. This will minimize the impact that a mood disorder has on your life and relationships, especially your marriage and family.
It is my hope and wish that you will gain a better understanding of your disorder, learn some management skills and begin the journey toward wellness because if you don’t manage it, it will manage you!
Zoom!
Now I can work via zoom with anyone, anywhere in the country and it may still be covered by BCBS Insurance. Check with your BCBS representative for more information. Call James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC, Senior Staff Therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 847-733-4300 Ext 638.
http://manageyourmood.net
http://family-institute.org
http://psychologytoday.com
http://takenotelessons.com Effective online, one on one, SAT, ACT, GRE, standardized test preparation, via face time or skype.
Disclaimer: This material is meant to be used in conjunction with psychiatric treatment, medication, if necessary, and supportive therapy. Always share this material and your questions about this material with your doctor and therapist.