Mood Disorders


Mood Disorders involve symptoms that can affect the stability and overall well-being of a person. Typically, the changes in mood have to be severe or repetitive enough to impact daily life. The three main types of mood disorders include Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Dysthymia.


Bipolar Disorder

Individuals with this Bipolar Disorder can be placed into two different categories depending on the severity of the depression and manic symptoms. Bipolar I alternate between Major Depression and Manic episodes. Major Depressive symptoms can include severe and persistent sadness or loss of interest in things the individual once enjoyed, changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem. Manic or Mania symptoms can include an elevated sense of self, racing thoughts, and an impairment from the individual’s baseline mood. Manic episodes usually last more than a week with Bipolar I and can result in risky or reckless behavior. Bipolar II is similar to Bipolar I, except it is less severe and individuals may not show signs of mania for years, thus staying in the depressive state.


Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Those suffering from MDD may experience severe and persistent sadness or loss of interest in things the individual once enjoyed, changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem for two or more weeks at a time. On average, 15 million Americans have suffered from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and which is about 6.7% of the population ( https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics ).


Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Dysthymia is a mild but persistent form of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It reflects the same symptoms of sadness or loss of interest in what the individual once enjoyed, changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem. It is a chronic form of depression usually milder in severity but continuous for two years or longer.


Related Services and Programs

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. This therapy combines behavioral exposure therapy along with cognitive restructuring to help enable the patient to confront avoidance, correct negative automatic thoughts, and return to optimal functioning.
Read More
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation & Second Opinions
The Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine offers independent psychiatric examinations. This can be helpful in challenging cases where a new diagnostic perspective is necessary.
Read More
Grief/Loss/Coping with Illness Issues
Sudden loss of a loved one from a heart attack, stroke, homicide, suicide or accident, often presents many issues for those left behind. People who experience loss from divorce, chronic or terminal illness face a different type of grieving. There are also differences in how adults, children, men and women experience grief and loss.
Read More
Individual Therapy
Individual psychotherapy is an approach in which all therapists at Rochester Center are highly trained. Individuals receive assistance in addressing issues related to self, family, school and work. Clients who chose to participate in individual therapy work together with their therapist to gain insight and increase coping skills in order to improve general mental health.
Read More
Marital & Conjoint Therapy
RCBM offers marital and conjoint therapy sessions. Professionals at RCBM first carefully evaluate each member of the couple to ensure that no other condition is interfering with the marital or familial relationship. From there, individuals are brought together to begin conjoint therapy. Important steps in therapy include: reducing blaming and negativity within the couple or family; creating…
Read More
Telemedicine
We are pleased to offer HIPAA-secure video sessions for medication management, psychotherapy, and medical nutrition therapy. We intend to provide telehealth services as a permanent offering.
Read More
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which occurs after an individual has personally experienced or witnessed a dangerous and life-threatening event. Individuals who are at risk for developing PTSD include but are not limited to soldiers who have been in combat, survivors or witnesses of violent crimes (including rape, kidnapping, robbery), individuals who have lived…
Read More
Sexual Health and LGBTQ Services
The Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine believes that sexual health and identity are vital to overall mental well- being. We strive to provide caring, affirming, and confidential services in an all-inclusive space that is supportive and free from bias. We have a dedicated multidisciplinary staff that is skilled in providing sexual health and LGBTQ services to individuals, couples, and…
Read More
Spravato Program
The Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine is pleased to offer SPRAVATO® (esketamine), manufactured by Janssen pharmaceuticals that is used adjunctively with anti-depressant medications for treatment-resistant depression. Our medical director, Dr. Joel Young, was a primary investigator during the SPRAVATO® clinical trial.  This page presents extensive…
Read More
Women’s Mental Health and Wellness
Research consistently shows that women suffer from mental illness at a higher rate than do men. This is likely due to a combination of the unique stresses women face, such as the pressure to conform to an unrealistic beauty standard or to be a perfect mother, along with factors such as hormonal shifts. We work with women of all ages to combat mental illness and manage challenging mental health…
Read More