Mood Disorders Flashcards
Mood
An overall feeling that colours our perception of the world and influences how we go about daily life.
Mood Disorders
Involve a disabling disturbance in emotional state. Mood disorders include depression, mania and hypomania.
Depression
A lasting and continuous deeply sad mood or loss of pleasure.
Mania
An elevated mood involving intense elation or irritability.
Hypomania
An extremely happy or irritated mood that is not as extreme as mania.
Manic Episodes
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
Types of Mood Disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Dysthymia
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Bipolar I disorder
- Bipolar II disorder
- Cyclothymia
Major Depressive Disorder
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
Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)
Similar symptom to major depressive disorder but less severe, with a longer duration (must persist for two years for this diagnosis).
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Dysfunctional changes in mood in the week before the onset of menstruation.
Bipolar I Disorder
Fluctuations between periods of major depression and mania.
Bipolar II Disorder
Fluctuations between periods of major depression and hypomania.
Cyclothymia
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.
Factors Contributing to Depression
Biological - Genes - Brain chemistry Psychological - Psychological responses to change - Habitually negative thinking Social - Poverty - Social stress - Social isolation
Genes
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.
Brain Chemistry
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.
Response to Change
Major depression is often precipitated by stressful life events that disrupt everyday life in an ongoing way.
Habitually Negative Thoughts
Depression is often perpetuated by habitually negative thoughts, which pop up automatically in response to everyday events.
Poverty
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.
Social Stress
Produced when we experience friction in our relationships with others.
Social Isolation
A lack of interaction and relationships with others.
Antidepressant Medications
Often work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin in the synapse, thereby compensating for serotonin deficiency.
