Mood Disorders

Question 1

Mood

Answer 1

An overall feeling that colours our perception of the world and influences how we go about daily life.

Question 2

Mood Disorders

Answer 2

Involve a disabling disturbance in emotional state. Mood disorders include depression, mania and hypomania.

Question 3

Depression

Answer 3

A lasting and continuous deeply sad mood or loss of pleasure.

Question 4

Mania

Answer 4

An elevated mood involving intense elation or irritability.

Question 5

Hypomania

Answer 5

An extremely happy or irritated mood that is not as extreme as mania.

Question 6

Manic Episodes

Answer 6

Manic episodes are characterised by:

• Talking excessively and rapidly
• Being easily distracted
• Unrealistic high opinions of oneself
• Decreased need for sleep
• Rapid changes to trains of thought
• Obliviousness to negative consequences of one’s actions

Question 7

Types of Mood Disorder

Answer 7

• Major depressive disorder
• Dysthymia
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Bipolar I disorder
• Bipolar II disorder
• Cyclothymia

Question 8

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer 8

According to the DSM-5:

• Duration must persist at least two weeks
• Feeling sad most of the time or loss of pleasure most of the time
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of change of appetite
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

Question 9

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Answer 9

Similar symptom to major depressive disorder but less severe, with a longer duration (must persist for two years for this diagnosis).

Question 10

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Answer 10

Dysfunctional changes in mood in the week before the onset of menstruation.

Question 11

Bipolar I Disorder

Answer 11

Fluctuations between periods of major depression and mania.

Question 12

Bipolar II Disorder

Answer 12

Fluctuations between periods of major depression and hypomania.

Question 13

Cyclothymia

Answer 13

Experience of periods of manic symptoms and depressive symptoms over a period of at least two years. These periods are shorter and less severe than bipolar disorders.

Question 14

Factors Contributing to Depression

Answer 14

Biological
- Genes
- Brain chemistry
Psychological
- Psychological responses to change
- Habitually negative thinking
Social
- Poverty
- Social stress
- Social isolation

Question 15

Genes

Answer 15

Twin and adoption studies reveal that depression has a genetic component. This means that there is a genetic predisposition. It doesn’t mean that it is a genetic disorder.

Question 16

Brain Chemistry

Answer 16

Deficiency in the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline is thought to lead to depression, while an oversupply may be an underlying cause of mania.
- Antidepressant drugs that inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin and/or noradrenalin can relieve symptoms of depression.

Question 17

Response to Change

Answer 17

Major depression is often precipitated by stressful life events that disrupt everyday life in an ongoing way.

Question 18

Habitually Negative Thoughts

Answer 18

Depression is often perpetuated by habitually negative thoughts, which pop up automatically in response to everyday events.

Question 19

Poverty

Answer 19

A lack of basic life necessities, such as sufficient food, shelter, clothing and access to services such as healthcare and education.
There is a strong correlation between poverty and depression.

Question 20

Social Stress

Answer 20

Produced when we experience friction in our relationships with others.

Question 21

Social Isolation

Answer 21

A lack of interaction and relationships with others.

Question 22

Antidepressant Medications

Answer 22

Often work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin in the synapse, thereby compensating for serotonin deficiency.