Mood Disorders Flashcards
What is an affective Disorder?
An affective disorder (or sometimes called a ‘mood disorder’), is when a person experiences extreme moods to the point that it significantly impacts their emotions, physical well-being, or behaviour.
What are two examples of affective disorders?
Depressive Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
What factors have been assocaied with affective disorders?
- Family history.
- Previous diagnosis of a mood disorder.
- Trauma, stress, or major life changes in the case of depression.
- Physical illness or use of certain medications.
- Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder.
What are some reasons for affective disorders not to be diagnosed or treated?
- the person doesn’t realise they have a problem.
- the person doesn’t believe their condition can be treated or helped.
- some physical complaints may be misinterpreted as a medical condition.
- local support or health care policy may be insufficient or difficult to access for the person (consider where the person lives);
- community attitudes or stigmatisation may mean the person does not want to seek help.
What are the most common types of depressive disorders?
- Major depressive Disorder,
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
What is Major Depressive Disorder?
Is a diagnosis made when a person experiences a severely depressed mood which causes significant distress or impairment to social, occupational or other important areas to the person’s life
What are signs and symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?
- Depressed mood most of the day,
- Anhedonia,
- significant weight loss or gain,
- insomnia or hypersomnia,
- psychomotor agitation or slowness,
- fatigue or energy loss,
- feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt,
- diminished ability to think of concentrate,
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
What is Anhedonia?
This is when a person experiences a loss of pleasure in undertaking previous activities that the person enjoyed.
How is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) characterised?
Dysthymia is characterised by a person experiencing chronic depressive symptoms for at least 2 years.
Is Persistent Depressive Disorder considered more severe than major depressive disorder?
NO
What are the signs and symptoms of Persistant Depressive Disorder?
- Poor appetiate or overeating,
- insomnia or hypersomnia,
- low energy or fatigue,
- low self esteem, poor concentration or difficulties making decisions,
- feelings of hopelessness
What are the nursing care focuses for depressive disorders?
- Risk of Harm
- Thoughts and feelings of self-worth
- Social Interactions
- Self-Care
What medications help treat depressive disorders?
antidepressants
What are the three types of antidepressants?
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
- Tricyclic (TCA),
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAIOs) first or second generation medications?
First generation - more side effects.
What is a bipolar disorder?
A bipolar disorder is when a person experiences a combination of mania or hypomania and a depressive episodes.
What is mania?
Mania is a psychological condition that causes a person to experience unreasonable euphoria, very intense moods, hyperactivity, and delusions. A serious change from a persons normal behaviour and thinking.
Why is mania sometimes dangerous?
- People may not sleep or eat while in a manic episode.
- They may engage in risky behaviors and harm themselves.
What are some symptoms of mania and hypomania?
- inflated self esteem,
- decreased need for sleep,
- more talkative than usual,
- flight of ideas,
- distractability,
- increase in goal driven activity or psychomotor agitation,
- increases in risk taking behavour.
What are some nursing considerations for mania?
- Maintain a low level of stimulus.
- Encourage appropriate exercise. 3.Communicate with short and concise statements.
- Reinforce appropriate limits and boundaries with the person.
- Promoting sleep and nutrition.
What is lithium?
- Mood stabiliser
- Specific treat of mania
- Physical screen prior to commencement is required (ability of liver and kidneys to process chemicals)
- Takes approx. 10 days after therapeutic blood levels have been reached to be effective.
What are the side effects of lithium?
- Tremor
- Thirst
- Urinary frequency
- Dry mouth
- Kidney problems
- Weight gain
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Discoordination
- Skin and hair changes
- Tiredness
- Confusion and distractibility
What are some indications of early stage lithium toxciity?
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea & Vomiting
- Coarse hand tremor
- Twitching
- Lethargy
- Ataxia
- Drowsiness
What are some indications of late stage lithium toxicity?
- Fever
- Decreased urine output
- Hypotension
- Irregular pulse
- ECG Changes
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
What are three anticonvulsants?
- Sodium Valproate (Epilim)
- Carbamazapine (Tegretol)
- Toprimate (Topamax)
What class of medication is Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
Second Generation.
Generally, first choice for people seeking treatment for depression.
What are some side effects of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
- sleeping problems
- weight gain
- sexual dysfunction
- Serotonin Syndrome is a risk
