Mood Disorders Flashcards
The DSM IV distinguishes between two main categories of mood disorder. What are these two categories?
UNIPOLAR depression
BIPOLAR depression
What is unipolar depression?
When a persons mood changes from NORMAL to DEPRESSED and can range from MILD to SEVERE (a neurosis)
Who is affected by unipolar depression?
Around 5% of pop
More prevalent in WOMEN - Britain around 7-8% of women suffer compared to 3-4% of MEN
Rates are SIMILAR in most WESTERN COUNTRIES such as the UK, USA and Canada
Average age of onset 40-50
What are the 4 symptom domains of unipolar depression?
EMOTIONAL symptoms (feelings)
COGNITIVE symptoms (think)
BEHAVIOURAL symptoms (act/behave)
PHYSIOLOGICAL symptoms (body functioning)
What are the two main symptoms that fall into the emotional domain, which are needed for a diagnosis of unipolar depression?
Intense feelings of SADNESS
LOSS of INTEREST and PLEASURE in USUAL ACTIVITIES
Give one typical symptom of the cognitive domain, for unipolar depression
Low SELF-ESTEEM/ self critical
Give one symptom of the behavioural domain, for unipolar depression
WITHDRAWAL from social activities
Give two symptoms of the physiological domain, for unipolar depression
Sleep difficulties (INSOMNIA/HYPOSOMNIA)
LOSS of ENERGY or RESTLESSNESS
What is needed for a diagnosis of unipolar depression?
Symptoms 1 and/or 2
Plus AT LEAST 4 OTHER for at least TWO WEEKS
Where there is no obvious external cause
What are mood disorders categorised as?
Disabling disturbances in emotions
What is bipolar depression?
Characterised by PERIODS of DEPRESSION and MANIA
Diagnosis means symptoms have been SEVERE enough to cause SERIOUS SOCIAL/OCCUPATIONAL IMPAIRMENT or REQUIRED HOSPITALISATION
What is mania?
An EMOTIONAL STATE of INTENSE UNFOUNDED ELATION
Who does bipolar depression affect?
LESS FREQUENT than unipolar depression affecting around 1% of the pop
Average age of onset VARIES between 15 and 40, with the average age being 20
SIMILAR RATES between GENDERS, different SOCIAL CLASSES AND different ETHNICITIES
What is a similarity between the unipolar and bipolar depression?
Both the depressed phase of unipolar and bipolar depression are the same
The manic phase of bipolar depression is split into 4 domains. What are these domains?
Emotional
Cognitive
Behavioural
Physiological
What are the two main symptoms of the emotional domain that are needed for a diagnosis of bipolar depression?
Intense feelings of EUPHORIA (ELEVATED mood)
IRRITABILITY (at personal frustration or with others)
Give examples of disrupted thought processes within the cognitive domain of bipolar depression
Delusions of GRANDURE
Delusions of PERSECUTION
HALLUCINATING
making RECKLESS/IRRATIONAL decisions
Inflated self esteem
Give an example of a behavioural symptom of bipolar depression
Increase in pleasurable ACTIVITIES that have a HIGH RISK or PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES
Give an example of a symptom form the physiological domain of bipolar depression
DECREASED need for SLEEP
INCREASED ENERGY levels
What is needed for a diagnosis of bipolar depression?
Symptoms of BOTH DEPRESSION and MANIA
MANIC episode must involve symptoms 1 and/or 2
Lasting AT LEAST A WEEK, plus AT LEAST 3 ADDITIONAL symptoms
Compared to schizophrenia, what is a strength of the diagnosis of mood disorders?
As there are ESSENTIAL SYMPTOMS REQUIRED for a diagnosis of depression, the classification is MORE PRECISE
As a result there is much LESS CHANCE of MISDIAGNOSIS leading to INCORRECT TREATMENT programmes
What is one issue with the diagnosis of depression in older individuals?
Rates in older individuals (60+) are DIFFICULT to MEASURE as they are OFTEN COMPLICATED by MEDICAL DISORDERS and SOCIAL ISOLATION
Give one issue with the diagnosis of depression due to the manic phase?
In the manic phase of bipolar, patients MAY be UNAWARE that there is ANYTHING WRONG, leading them to STOP taking their MEDICATION and causing further DETERIORATION
