Affective disorders

Question 1

Which sex is depression more common in?

Answer 1

Females

Question 2

What are the 3 core features of depression?

Answer 2

Anhedonia - inability to derive pleasure
Low mood - may have diurnal variation, often worse in morning
Reduced energy

Question 3

How long must symptoms of depression been present for before a diagnosis can be made?

Answer 3

2 weeks and not secondary to the effects of drug/alcohol misuse, organic illness, or bereavement

Question 4

What additional features of depression are there in the ICD-10 criteria?

Answer 4

Sleep disturbance
Change in appetite 
Reduced concentration 
Reduced sex drive 
Loss of confidence
Guilt feelings 
Suicidal thoughts

Question 5

According to ICD-10, how many symptoms are needed for a diagnosis of mild depression?

Answer 5

2 core and 2 additional features

Question 6

According to ICD-10, how many symptoms are needed for a diagnosis of moderate depression?

Answer 6

2 core and 3 additional features

Question 7

According to ICD-10, how many symptoms are needed for a diagnosis of severe depression?

Answer 7

3 core and 4 additional features

Question 8

What’s the difference between Bipolar Affective Disorder type 1 and type 2?

Answer 8

Type 1: full mania with presence of psychotic symptoms
Type 2: Patients do not meet the criteria for full mania and are instead described as hypomanic (milder elevation of mood). No psychotic symptoms.

Question 9

What are some features of mania/a manic episode?

Answer 9

Elated mood, Irritable mood, lability
Increased energy levels, over activity
Distractibility, reduced concentration, constant change of plans 
Reduced need for sleep
Inflated self-esteem, grandiosity 
Overfamiliarity, disinhibition
Reckless behaviour, overspending 
Increase in sex drive
Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
Psychotic symptoms

Question 10

What’s needed to diagnose mania according to ICD-10?

Answer 10

At least 1 week of elevated mood and 3+ of: grandiosity/inflated self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, pressured speech, flight of ideas, distractibility, psychomotor agitation, disinhibition, reckless behaviour, psychotic Sx

Question 11

What is required for a diagnosis of Bipolar affective disorder according to ICD-10?

Answer 11

At least 2 episodes in which a person’s mood and activity levels are significantly disturbed - one of which must be mania or hypomania.

Question 12

What is classed as rapid cycling in BAD?

Answer 12

4+ episodes of significantly disturbed mood (mania/depression) in one year.