Mood Disorders Program

Director of Clinical Programs:  Karen Swartz, M.D.

Director of Research Programs:  James Potash, M.D., M.P.H.

OVERVIEW

Mood Disorders (also known as "Affective Disorders") are characterized by changes in mood state that do not have the usual connection with what is occurring in a person's life. People with depressive disorders may become sad, pessimistic, hopeless and despairing, even though they may seem to have no reasons for feeling that way. In a manic mood state a person may experience an abnormally elevated sense of self and energy, and even euphoria.  Angry, irritable, agitated mood states may predominated in some patients with affective disorders. A person in a mixed affective state suffers from a kind of activated, energized sadness that appears to be a combination of depression and mania.

Mood disorders are treatable.

CLINICAL CARE

Please select a link below for information about the mood disorders clinical services we offer at Johns Hopkins:

CLINICAL OVERVIEW

• Adult Inpatient Unit
• Adolescent/Young Adult Inpatient Unit
• Day Hospital
• Adult Consultation Clinic
• Adolescent/Young Adult Outpatient Consultation Clinic
• Women's Outpatient Consultation Clinic

OUTREACH

• Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)

RESEARCH

Ongoing research is being conducted at Johns Hopkins to better understand and treat Mood Disorders.  Current studies being conducted at Johns Hopkins related to Mood Disorders are listed below.  Please select a link for additional information about a specific study. 

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

• Genetics of Bipolar Disorder and Depression
• Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
• Clinical Trial - Riluzole for Bipolar Depression
• Clinical Trial - Valacyclovir for Bipolar Disorder
• Adolescents at Risk for Familial Bipolar Disorder
• Bioinformoodics: Tools for Gene Discovery in Mood Disorders
  

FACULTY BOOKS

Expert psychiatry faculty at Johns Hopkins study mood disorders from all perspectives and are committed to educating other health professionals and the public about these illnesses. Please click here for a list of books and publications authored by Johns Hopkins psychiatrists.