Mood Disorder Treatment & Evaluation in Austin and Surrounding Areas
Living with a mood disorder can feel like being on a roller coaster you never agreed to ride. Some days, you may feel energized and optimistic; other days, even simple tasks feel impossible. Many people think mood disorders are just “being too emotional” or “not handling stress well,” but in reality, they are legitimate medical conditions affecting brain chemistry, thought patterns, and daily functioning. With the right evaluation and treatment, you can move from unpredictable highs and lows to a more stable, fulfilling life.
Understanding Mood Disorders
Plain-English definition: Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause significant changes in emotional state, ranging from extreme sadness to periods of elevated mood or irritability.
How they appear in adults: While stereotypes focus on extreme behaviors, many adults experience mood disorders in more subtle ways — ongoing irritability, loss of motivation, or cycles of burnout followed by bursts of productivity.
Common symptoms include:
Persistent sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Periods of unusually high energy, impulsivity, or restlessness
Changes in appetite, sleep, or energy levels
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Why they’re often missed: Mood disorders can be mistaken for stress, personality quirks, or even physical health issues. Many people adapt their lives around their symptoms without realizing treatment could greatly improve stability and quality of life.
My Diagnostic Process
Comprehensive intake — reviewing your history, current challenges, and triggers.
Evidence-based assessments — validated tools to identify patterns and severity.
Differential diagnosis — ruling out medical conditions or other psychiatric disorders with overlapping symptoms.
Personalized plan — crafting a treatment strategy tailored to your needs and goals.
Treatment Tailored to You
Medication management: When appropriate, to stabilize mood and reduce symptom intensity.
Therapy approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and other evidence-based modalities.
Lifestyle changes: Sleep optimization, exercise routines, and nutrition support to promote emotional stability.
Adaptive strategies: Tools to recognize early warning signs and prevent relapse.
Why My Practice is Different
Most online resources on mood disorders are either overly technical or so general they don’t actually help you take the next step. I focus on giving you the right mix of education and actionable tools so you:
Understand how mood disorders affect you specifically
See a clear set of treatment options that fit your lifestyle
Gain confidence that change is possible before we even start formal treatment
Quick self-reflection exercise: Keep a brief daily mood log for two weeks, noting your energy levels, sleep quality, and emotional state. Patterns often emerge that can help us target treatment more effectively.
Mood Disorders Often Come with Company
Mood disorders can co-occur with anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, and sleep disturbances. Treating mood disorders effectively means addressing the full picture, not just the most obvious symptoms.
Serving Austin and Beyond
I provide mood disorder treatment for clients in:
Austin, Barton Creek, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Bertram, Blanco, Briarcliff, Brushy Creek, Buda, Burnet, Cedar Park, Circle C, Creedmoor, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Great Hills, Hays, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Jonestown, Jollyville, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Mountain City, Mustang Ridge, New Braunfels, Niederwald, Pflugerville, Point Venture, River Place, Rollingwood, Round Rock, San Marcos, Smithville, Steiner Ranch, Sunset Valley, Taylor, The Domain, The Hills, Thrall, Volente, Webberville, Weir, West Lake Hills, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Zilker, and throughout all of Texas!