What are mood disorders?
Mood disorder, also known as mood (affective) disorder, is a group of conditions where a disturbance in a person’s mood is the main underlying feature. The most common mood disorder among young people is depression. Less commonly, young people may experience bipolar disorder, in which periods of depression alternate with periods of mania or hypomania.
When do we speak of depression?
Depression is the most frequent form of mood disorder we treat at Yes We Can Youth Clinics. A set of problems or a condition is considered depression when:
- A person has been in an extraordinarily dark or sad mood for more than two weeks and/or no longer enjoys anything in life;
- The person, additionally, has several (other) problems such as sleep disorders, reduced appetite, low energy levels, fatigue, concentration problems, indecision, dullness or inertia, physical unrest, sense of guilt, thoughts about death or suicide;
- A person has problems that hinder daily activities and cause psychological distress.
Not all cases of depression are the same. They may vary from mild to severe. Someone with mild depression will only have a few symptoms. Someone with severe depression will have many or most of the known symptoms. The degree of suffering and distress is related to the extent to which these symptoms are present, dominate life and disrupt regular daily activities and routines.
Read more about depression and its treatment.
What about bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a less common mood disorder in which a young person’s mood shifts between depressive episodes and periods of unusually elevated mood, energy or irritability (mania or hypomania). It typically requires its own diagnostic process and treatment approach, distinct from depression.
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Treatment of mood disorders
At Yes We Can Youth Clinics, we help young people learn how to cope with mood disorders so that they can have a positive outlook on life again and participate in society in a meaningful and fulfilling way. The treatment consists of a ten-week programme in our clinic and an aftercare programme, Yes We Do, which lasts approximately ten weeks. Young people often work in groups, but we also find that individual guidance is essential.
Group process and individual therapy
In group sessions, the young people share their stories and give each other feedback. They learn that they are not alone and that their peers are also struggling with similar issues. They also know that our expert-by-experience counsellors have experienced the same problems, leading to much recognition. The group dynamics give these young people the will and strength to change.
The underlying background of the problems is discussed during one-on-one sessions with the regular therapist. What is the pain behind it? How does this affect them? And what is needed for a positive future? We use various forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion regulation training and motivational interviewing.
Systemic Therapy
We also pay a lot of attention to the fellow's family. We offer a coaching and counselling programme for parents. This programme helps the family learn how to be supportive. Naturally, there is also room for questions, such as: What is my son or daughter experiencing at the clinic? After the treatment at the clinic, how can we continue to support their recovery?
With our intensive treatment, we want to offer young people and their loved ones an entirely new perspective. This is what we strive for every day.
Contact us
Yes We Can Youth Clinics treats teenagers and young adults who are suffering from a wide variety of mental health issues. You can reach us by phone from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Central European Time) via phone number: +31 (0)85 02 01 222. Your call will be forwarded after business hours (weekdays after 6:00 p.m. and on weekends). Please note that answering your call during these hours might take longer than usual. If we cannot answer the call right away, please leave a message, and we will return your call as soon as possible. You can also fill out our contact form.
Register for an intake interview
Would you like to register a teenager or young adult (aged 13-25) for treatment at Yes We Can Youth Clinics? Please fill out our intake form, and we will contact you to schedule a personal intake interview.
Intake form