Mood disorders Flashcards
What is an appetitive/approach disorder
dysfunction in ability to evaluate and predict rewards in environment
What parts of the brain are affected in an appetitive/approach disorder
orbitofrontal cortex anterior cingulate amygdala ventral / dorsal striatum mesolimbic / cortical projections ascending dopamine systems
What is an aversive/defensive disorder
dysfunction in ability to evaluating and predicting threats in the environment
What parts of the brain are affected in an aversive/defensive disorder
ascending serotonin systems hippocampus amygdala hypothalamus periaqueductal grey matter
what three core symptoms are classical of depression
anergia, anhedonia, low mood
what other symptoms are associated with depression
decreased appetite decreased libido sleep disturbance irritability thoughts of suicide or self harm feeling like they cannot cope with life impaired memory decreased volume of speech and decreased number of words
what are some endocrine changes seen in depression
increased cortisol release adrenal hypertrophy failure of negative feedback systems desensitisation of cortisol receptors failure of serotonin and NA transmissions increased pro-inflammatory cytokines
what areas of the brain are affected in depression
orbitoprefrontal cortex dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ventromedial prefrontal cortex amygdala hippocampus anterior cingulate
what changes to the hippocampus are seen in depression
atrophy
how many symptoms are required for mild, moderate and severe depression
mild: 4
moderate: 6
severe: 8
(for at least two weeks)
what is dysthymia
chronic low mood, but able to cope with life
what is somatic syndrome
depression with unexplained associated physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches and pains, nausea, dizziness
(I think)
What is mania
elevated mood, dysinhibition, overactivity
what symptoms are associated with mania
increased energy grandiose ideas increased spending decreased sleep irritability inflated self esteem flight of ideas
what is hypomania
less severe than mania, no psychosis (if patient is hospitalised or if their daily life is affected, it is mania not hypomania)
