Chapter 8 Disorders of Mood Flashcards
depression*
a low, sad state marked by significant levels of sadness, lack of energy, low self-worth, guilt, or related symptoms
mania*
a state/episode of euphoria or frenzied activity in which people may have an exaggerated belief that the world is theirs for the taking
depressive disorders*
the group of disorders marked by unipolar depression
unipolar depression*
depression without a history of mania
bipolar depression*
a disorder marked by alternating or intermixed periods of mania and depression
mood problems
= depressive and bipolar disorders
Unipolar Depression: The Depressive Disorders
- severe with long-lasting, physical pain
- may intensify as time continues
How Common is Unipolar Depression?
- 8% adults
- 5% adults = mild forms
- 19% adults = have episode at some point in life
- prevalence rates similar to many other countries
- higher rates among poor
- any age can suffer; most common is 40 years old
- onset = 26 years old
- women = 2x more likely
- 26% women = episode in life
- 12% men = episode in life
- 85% people recover
- 40% have 1 more episode in life after recovery
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
- can be severe or not
- sobbing, indecisiveness, feelings of despair, anger, and worthlessness
Emotional Symptoms
- sad and dejected
- miserable, empty, humiliated
- no sense of humor
- no pleasure (anhedonia)
- anger, anxiety, agitation
Motivational Symptoms
- loss of desire to pursue anything
- suicide = escape
- 6-15% commit suicide
Behavioral Symptoms
- less active and productive
- alone
- bed-ridden
- move and speak slowly
Cognitive Symptoms
- negative self-views
- self-blame
- do not credit themselves for achievements
- vulnerable to suicidal thinking
- confused
- poor intellectual skills
Physical Symptoms
- headaches, indigestion, constipation, dizzy spells, severe pain
- symptoms are usually misdiagnosed as physical illness
- eat and sleep less = fatigued
- some will excessively overeat and oversleep
Diagnosing Unipolar Depression
-major depressive episode = period of 2 weeks or more marked by at least 5 symptoms of depression; may include psychotic symptoms in extreme cases
major depressive disorder*
a severe pattern of depression that is disabling and is not caused by such factors as drugs or a general medical condition
dysthymic disorder*
a mood disorder that is similar to but longer-lasting and less disabling than major depressive disorder
premenstrual dysphoric disorder*
a disorder marked by repeated experiences of significant depression and related symptoms during the week before menstruation
What Causes Unipolar Depression?
- stressful events
- exogenous (reactive) depression= clear cut stressful events
- endogenous depression = response to internal factors
Genetic Factors
- family pedigree: select people with unipolar depression as probands (focus of genetic study)
- 20% relatives depressed fewer than 10% of population
- molecular: tied to chromosomes (abnormality with 5-HTT gene [responsible for serotonin production])
norepinephrine*
a neurotransmitter whose abnormal activity is linked to depression and panic disorder
serotonin*
a neurotransmitter whose abnormal activity is linked to depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders
Biochemical Factors
- many neurotransmitter interactions = unipolar disorder
- serotonin = neuromodulator (increase/decrease key neurotransmitter activity)
- endocrine system -> adrenal glands -> too much cortisol
- melatonin (released in the dark)
- deficiencies of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Brain Anatomy and Brain Circuits
- unipolar brain circuit:
- -prefrontal cortex (frontal cortex -> mood, attention, immune function)
- -hippocampus (neurogenesis, messages between it and prefrontal cortex)
- -amygdala (negative memories and emotions -> elevated blood flow when depressed)
- -Brodmann Area 25 (under cingulate cortex -> 5-HTT)