Department of Affective Disorders and Borderline Conditions
Multidisciplinarity is one of the key focuses of the Department of Affective Disorders and Borderline Conditions. The department is led by psychiatrist specialist and his team of departmental physicians and psychiatry residents, a clinical psychologist, a social worker, a social pedagogue, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, MN in the field of mental health, BSN, MCN and nurses and technicians specially trained with a psychotherapeutic orientation.
Affective disorders are serious psychiatric disorders characterized by dramatic changes or extreme differences in mood which involve a group of symptoms that may be associated with various diseases and conditions, causing mental suffering, personal and social dysfunction.
Some examples of affective disorders and moods include:
- Mania and depression
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Ecstasy
- Apathy
- Catathymia
- Emotional incontinence
- Pathological irritation, etc.
Quantitative and qualitative affective disorders can significantly impair a person in their daily activities, contributing to personal distress, psychological suffering and stigma. If untreated, such conditions can be a basis for self-medication and addiction, worsening both symptoms and the illness. An example of changes in the content of the disorder includes affective rigidity and pallor.
- Flat affect
- Ambivalence
- Anhedonia
- Alexithymia, etc.
Affective disorders include major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, dysthymic disorders, cyclothymic disorders, episodes of mood disorders, seasonal affective disorders, as well as mood disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances. They manifest as behavioral deficits such as social isolation, despondency, lack of interest and motivation, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, guilt, suicidal ideation, or, on contrary, irritable or euphoric mood, flight of ideas, feelings of omnipotence, unrealistic self-respect, etc.
The individuals that are primarily treated at the Department of Affective Disorders and Borderline Conditions of the Insula County Hospital are those suffering from the mentioned disorders, as well as patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias and patients with atypical clinical pictures associated with the basic affective disorder. In recent years, there has been an increase in admissions of a growing number of adults with eating disorders, as well as individuals with dual diagnoses of addiction and some affective disorders.
The department follows a holistic approach including a biopsychosocial approach. The department has an open door policy and it respects the principles of group and individual therapeutic work. In addition to therapeutic communities, large and small groups, it implements a biological (psychopharmacological) approach to treatment, along with individual and group psychotherapeutic work, individual and dynamic group psychotherapy, behavioral-cognitive therapy. According to the current assessment of mental status, patients are also involved in therapeutic activities at the Department of Integrative Rehabilitation. Therefore, targeted group psychotherapies are conducted addressing specific existing issues, such as psycho-supportive groups, educational groups for alcohol addiction treatment, socialization groups. As part of integrative rehabilitation, patients participate in various groups, including anxiety management, relaxation with music, art therapy, Snoezelen room, cognitive training, etc. The department's focus is on the patient as an individual, creating an individualized treatment plan, all aimed at resolving the existing issues. The rehabilitation period begins with the creation of the plan, and initial results are expected to be seen within the first three weeks, while significant treatment and rehabilitation outcomes are seen within five to six weeks.