Chris Aiken – Complex Mood Disorders: Practical Strategies and Tools for Bipolar, Depression and Insomnia

Outline

The Mood Spectrum

• The three faces of mood: depression, hypomania, and mixed states
• Psychological and social effects of the three moods
• Working with each mood in the therapeutic relationship
• All too common: the role of other disorders (eating, personality, anxiety, trauma and addictions) in mood disorders
• Finding normal
• Flowers in the weeds: six strengths that come with mood disorders

Circadian Rhythms

• Mood disorders and the biological clock
• Four key events that set the clock
• Social interactions: from deprivation to overstimulation
• Brisk awakening
• Light therapy
• Dark therapy
• Flow, engagement, and behavioral activation
• Seasonal moods

Sleep and Mood

• Sleep drive and circadian rhythms
• Normal vs. abnormal insomnia: the role of anxiety
• Sleep hygiene: a modern take on the basics
• Advanced moves: sleep restriction and CBT-insomnia
• Modifications for bipolar and depression

Mood and Health

• When the body impedes the mind: inflammation, head injury and obesity
• Exercise: how much, how often?
• Technology and mood
• Food matters: tea, dark chocolate, and the Mediterranean diet
• Air quality: from negative ions to aromatherapy

Medication

• Update on psychopharmacology of mood disorders
• Update on natural treatments of mood disorders
• Minimize side effects and maximize adherence

Cognition: The Silent Symptom

• Recognize cognitive deficits
• How cognition impacts therapy
• Functional remediation: a new paradigm
• Three ways to enhance cognition: restoration, compensation and optimization
• Take it home: Seven exercises to restore the mind

Mood Disorders in the Family

• Four ways to help: warmth, empathy, positive comments, and optimism
• Five things to avoid: critical comments, scrutiny, conflict, over-involvement and hostility
• Three overlooked ingredients: timing, frequency and regularity
• Adult children in the home: boundaries and limits
• Managing crises
• Protecting young children