Neuro Assessment Center

There are many different kinds of problems mood issues can cause (poor sleep to increased sleep, poor appetite to overeating, fatigue to excessive energy, etc.) which, can result in many people feeling confused if left untreated.

Did you know that over 50 percent of Americans who have depression are left untreated?[1]

Some clients delayed treatment seeking because they were worried about taking medication. We do not prescribe medications. We do recommend ethical medication specialists who sometimes discourage people with mood issues from taking medication.[2] Medications can mask emotions that need to be worked through, thus delaying the healing process.

For example, bereavement is different than depression. More specifically, sometimes feeling depressed is natural, especially after a death or the loss of a long-time relationship. This causes many scientists, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists to have different opinions on whether or when bereavement is considered to be a clinical condition that needs to be treated or diagnosed.[3]  

In addition to depression related to a loss, depression can be related to an illness or medications a client is prescribed. Fluctuating or uncontrollable mood swings can have a physical or cognitive basis.

We can help differentiate the issue (bereavement vs. depression) so we can effectively help your treating doctor pick the right medication, if needed. After the assessment process, we help with recommendations for evidence-based interventions and quality treatment plans.

Emotional pain is similar to physical pain. It is a signal that something is not right and requires attention. Assessments that help identify the underlying cause and point to effective treatments. Assessments can vary due to the nature of the issue we are investigating. Please click here for more information!

Left untreated, many of these issues can lead to additional losses as they can damage relationships, job performance, and physical health. The good news is that most mood issues respond well to treatment.

If you need help with a letter for school or work, please don’t be afraid to ask! We advocate for our clients and will help if you just ask!

References:

[1] González, H. M., Vega, W. A., Williams, D. R., Tarraf, W., West, B. T., & Neighbors, H. W. (2010). Depression care in the United States: too little for too few. Archives of general psychiatry, 67(1), 37-46.

[2] Pies, R. (2014). The bereavement exclusion and DSM-5: an update and commentary. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 11(7-8), 19.

[3] Zachar, P., First, M. B., & Kendler, K. S. (2017). The bereavement exclusion debate in the DSM-5: A history. Clinical Psychological Science, 5(5), 890-906.