Mood Flashcards
unipolar depression
Most people with a mood disorder
experience only depression
– This pattern is called unipolar depression
* Person has no history of mania
* Mood returns to normal when
depression lifts
bipolar disorder
experience periods of mania
that alternate with periods of
depression
unipolar mania
people suffer from mania only – but
this pattern is uncommon
Mood states are pathological
when
they do not make sense
within the context or
circumstances of a person’s life
individuals with bipolar disorder
tend to experience
depression
more than mania over the years (3x as often)
Emotional symptoms of mania
Active, powerful
emotions in search of
outlet
Motivational symptoms of mania
Need for constant
excitement,
involvement,
companionship
Behavioural symptoms of mania
Very active – move quickly;
talk loudly or rapidly
– Flamboyance is not
uncommon
Cognitive symptoms of mania
Show poor judgment or
planning
– Especially prone to poor (or
no) planning
Physical symptoms of mania
High energy level – often in
the presence of little or no
rest
onset age of bipolar disorders
between 15 and 44
kindling hypothesis
once a depression has already been
experienced, it takes less
stress to induce a subsequent
recurrence
% of those with mdd that experience another episode
about 80%
Biological theories for bipolar disorder
Neuroendocrine System
-HPA axis may play a role in depression
◦ levels of cortisol in depressed patients
-Disorders of thyroid function are often
seen in bipolar patients
◦ Thyroid hormones can induce mania
-Right hemisphere dysfunction
sleep related causes for bipolar disorder
-REM starts sooner after falling asleep
in depressed people
-Depressed experience more intense
REM activity
-Slow wave (deep) sleep occurs later
-Disturbed sleep
Mood Disorders: Social
FactorsF
Life events, Lack of social support, Interpersonal Difficulties, Behavior of depressed people
often leads to rejection by
others
Interpersonal Theory of
Depression
Sparse social networks that
provide little support
-the lower a persons ability to handle negative life events, the higher risk they are for depression
Attachment theory for depression
Parental separation and
disruption of an attachment
bond are predisposing
factors for depression
Behavioural theory of depression
Emphasizes the importance
of learning, environmental
consequences, and skills and
deficits in the onset and
maintenance of depression
Depression is related to a
lack of response-contingent
positive reinforcement
likelihood of unipolar depression comparison men-women
women are twice as likely to experience severe unipolar depression
recovery rate for unipolar depression
50% recover within a week, 90% recover within a year
Why are women more likely to experience MDD
sexual abuse, chronic stressors, body image, react more intensely to interpersonal loss, spend more time ruminating
Cause of mood disorders: integrative theory
Depression, anxiety, mania caused by
an interaction of:
◦ Biological vulnerability genetically
determined
◦ Psychological vulnerability
◦ Stressful life events
◦ Hormonal imbalances and social causes
abnormal brain structure in people with bipolar disorder
basal ganglia and
cerebellum
Phases of Beck’s cognitive theory for unipolar depression
- Increasing activities and elevating
mood - Challenging automatic thoughts
- Identifying negative thinking and
biases - Changing primary attitudes
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) for unipolar depression
This model holds that four interpersonal problems may lead to depression and must be addressed:
- Interpersonal loss
- Interpersonal role dispute
- Interpersonal role transition
- Interpersonal deficits
The main type of couple therapy
behavioural marital therapy (Focus is on developing specific communication and problem-solving skills)
Antidepressant drugs
MAO inhibitors
-potentially pose a
serious danger
-Blood pressure may rise to a
potentially fatal level if one eats
foods with tyramine (cheese,
bananas, wine) while taking
MAOIs
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Frequently used, fast & effective, procedure consists of targeted electrical stimulation to cause a brain seizure, 6-12 sessions over 2-4 weeks
Second-generation antidepressant drugs
- Clinicians often prefer these drugs because it is harder to overdose on them than on other kinds of antidepressants
- There are no dietary restrictions like there are with MAO inhibitors
- They have fewer side effects than the tricyclics
psychotherapy & bipolar disorders
Psychotherapy alone is rarely helpful
for persons with bipolar disorder
