MOOD AND ACT
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, can cause significant emotional distress and disrupt your life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a unique approach to managing mood disorders by helping you develop a new relationship with your emotions and build psychological flexibility.

Cultivating Emotional Balance and Resilience
At New Horizons Therapy NY, our therapists use ACT to help you navigate the challenges of mood disorders and live a more fulfilling life, even in the presence of difficult emotions.
How ACT Helps with Mood Disorders:
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Mindful Acceptance: Instead of struggling to eliminate or suppress difficult emotions, ACT teaches you to observe them with mindful awareness and acceptance. This reduces the struggle and allows you to create space between you and your emotions.
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Cognitive Defusion: You'll learn to recognize that your thoughts are just thoughts, not facts. This helps you detach from negative thought patterns that often accompany mood disorders, such as self-criticism and hopelessness.
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Values Clarification: ACT guides you to identify your core values – what truly matters to you in life. This provides a sense of direction and purpose, even when you're struggling with your mood.
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Committed Action: You'll learn to take actions that align with your values, even when you're feeling down or unmotivated. This helps you break free from inertia and move towards a life that is meaningful to you.
ACT and Different Mood Disorders:
ACT can be beneficial for various mood disorders, including:
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Major Depressive Disorder: Develop skills to manage low mood, increase engagement in pleasurable activities, and cultivate self-compassion.
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Bipolar Disorder: Learn to recognize and accept mood swings, develop coping strategies for both depressive and manic episodes, and build stability.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Identify values and engage in activities that bring joy and meaning during periods of decreased sunlight.
Benefits of ACT for Mood Disorders:
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Improved mood regulation: Gain greater control over your emotional responses and reduce the intensity and frequency of mood swings.
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Reduced emotional distress: Develop skills to manage difficult emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, and anger, with greater ease.
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Increased self-awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of your emotional patterns and triggers.
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Enhanced self-compassion: Cultivate a kinder, more accepting relationship with yourself, even during difficult times.
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Greater life satisfaction: Live a more fulfilling life aligned with your values, even in the presence of mood challenges.
Reclaim Your Emotional Well-being:
If you're struggling with a mood disorder, ACT can offer a path towards greater emotional balance and resilience. Contact New Horizons Therapy NY to learn more about how ACT can help you manage your mood, cultivate self-compassion, and live a more meaningful life.