Emerging focus of Affective Disorders

Question 1

Which disorders are under researched relative to burdensome illnesses?

Answer 1

Affective disorders

Question 2

What are the concerns with unipolar and bi polar research with regards to their epidemiology?

Answer 2

MDD: High prevalence, low heritability

Bi Polar: High Heritabilty, premature mortality

Question 3

What have been the underused and overused therapies in BP?

Answer 3

Lithium is underused

SSRI’s overused

Question 4

What did Li’s paper regarding MDD reveal about research and hot topics?

Answer 4

That more papers are being done each year.

Pathogensis and mechanism, biological and treatment.

Question 5

How has technology improved our research in MDD?

Answer 5

1: Activity monitoring (actigraphy): Sleep and movement can be monitored.
2: Passive smartphone Data: GPS, APPs, calls and texts all used to monitor increase or decrease of use in mania or depression
3: Speech or text data: Active as needs consent: Speech for accurate diagnosis.
4: EMA: Asked for snapshots of what is happening and how you are feeling.
5: Smartphone apps: Potential for tailored info like cognitive tests

Question 6

What is the major advantages to using current technology?

Answer 6

Big and deep data at high frequency

Question 7

How could machine learning be used in affective disorders and what are the limitations?

Answer 7

Using algorithms to make connections between variables.

1: Diagnosis
2: Likelihood of treatment success
3: Relapse Risk detection

Limitations:
Large data needed
Overfitting can occur

Question 8

In what way has social media been useful and harmful in Mental health?

Answer 8

1: It has helped those that otherwise struggle to interact
2: It helps spread awareness and information regarding mental health

There has been a link found between increased use and depression and anxiety

Question 9

What are some of the responses to the lack of accessibility to depression treatment?

Answer 9

Use of effective, but simple to deliver interventions

Phycho-education:
delivered in groups
No clinical requirement

Question 10

What is important to consider when delivering interventions and give an example?

Answer 10

Culture:

Zimbabwe friendship bench.
500 RCT favourable vs std care and education