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Although there are no known cures for mood disorders, they are treatable. There is no known way to prevent a mood disorder itself, but individual episodes may be prevented with the use of medications and therapy. Hospitalization may be necessary during severe episodes.

Medications are often the first line of treatment for mood disorders. They are used to rapidly establish control of dangerous or disabling symptoms, alleviate the symptoms and prevent further episodes. If thyroid dysfunction is present, it needs to be treated with thyroid medications for the treatment of a mood disorder to be effective.

The primary medications for the depressive mood disorders are antidepressants. These are not habit-forming, but need to be carefully monitored to ensure that the correct dosage is given. Antidepressants typically take several weeks to be effective and are generally taken for at least four to nine months, or even indefinitely, to prevent recurrence. It is important to never stop taking an antidepressant without consulting a physician because some types must be reduced gradually to allow the body time to adjust.  Patients should be aware that a physician may need to adjust the dosage or change medications to achieve the best results with minimal side effects.

In addition,  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.

Mood stabilizing drugs are the primary medications for bipolar disorders. Different types of mood stabilizers may be more effective in different patients and a second mood stabilizer may be added if a single medication is not effective. Lithium is the most common mood stabilizer and generally the first medication used. Anticonvulsant mood stabilizing drugs may be used for difficult-to-treat bipolar disorder or if there is a concern about lithium side effects. Lifelong maintenance with mood stabilizers is generally required to prevent new episodes and reduce the likelihood that subsequent episodes will be more severe.

Patients should be aware that not all medications are appropriate for every individual. Certain medical conditions (e.g., pregnancy) may preclude the use of some medications.

Psychotherapy is effective for many patients with major depression, especially when combined with medications. Psychotherapy encourages patients to take medication properly, assists patients and families in establishing and maintaining appropriate behavioral boundaries, provides counseling and support and addresses substance abuse when appropriate. Some therapies commonly used to treat mood disorders include:

• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Patients learn to change and control inappropriate thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to or result from their disorder.
  
  
• Psychoeducation. Teaches patients about their mood disorder, its treatment and how to recognize early signs of new episodes so that early intervention can take place. This is often helpful for family members of patients with a mood disorder, as well.
  
  
• Family therapy. Reduces the levels of distress within the family that may contribute to or result from the symptoms of a mood disorder.
  
  
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. Improve the interpersonal relationships of bipolar patients and regularize their daily routines and sleep schedules to give them more control of their lives and their condition.
  
  
• Group therapy. Focuses on acceptance of the mental health condition and the need for long-term medication. This may include families.
  
  
• Psychodynamic therapy. Focuses on resolving the conflict in a patient’s feelings, such as the desire for praise coupled with feelings of worthlessness. This therapy is often reserved until symptoms are significantly improved.

Light therapy is often useful in mood disorders with seasonal onset (e.g., seasonal affective disorder [SAD]). This involves the use of a box that emits bright, white light. The box is set at eye level and the patient looks into the light for a prescribed amount of time each day. Some patients find it more useful to participate in this therapy at a particular time of day that varies from patient to patient.

When a mood disorder is life threatening or severe in patients who cannot take medications or medications do not provide sufficient relief, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may help significantly. ECT is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is severe or life threatening or who cannot take antidepressant medication. ECT has been much improved in recent years with modern techniques, and problems such as long-lasting memory loss have been greatly reduced. ECT is administered using brief anesthesia and muscle relaxants. Electrodes are precisely placed to deliver electrical impulses to the brain. Several sessions are typically needed, usually at a rate of three sessions per week, to achieve the full therapeutic effect.