Mood disorders Flashcards
Name the 3 core symptoms of depression.
- Low mood
- Lack of energy
- Anhedonia (lack of enjoyment or interest)
In addition to the 3 core symptoms of depression, what other symptoms are characteristic of this diagnosis?
Depressive thoughts
Suicidal thoughts
Somatic symptoms - weight loss (from lack of appetite)
Biological symptoms - lack of sleep (and early morning weakening), poor libido.
Severe cases might show psychotic symptoms
What is an adjustment reaction? How does it differ from clinical depression?
Adjustment reaction = normal response to a change such as the death of a loved one or relationship breakdown.
Different in that…
Symptoms have sudden onset and can fluctuate.
They are time limited
Energy is not low as in depression
Sleep is not messed up
Feelings of anger or frustration are more common.
List some symptoms seen in mania and hypomania.
Elevated mood Increased energy ‘Pressure of speech’ - talking quickly Flight of ideas Normal social inhibitions lost (sex, drugs....) Jumping from idea to idea Attention cannot be sustained May have psychotic symptoms Elevated self-esteem, grandiose.
What are the different categories of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar 1
Bipolar 2
How does bipolar 1 differ from bipolar 2?
Bipolar 1 is easy to diagnose as it is characterised by epidoses of mania.
Bipolar 2 is more difficult as the patient does not experience epidoses of mania, only th milder form of hypomania.
Describe the changes within the frontal lobes and amygdala associated with mania.
Mania =
Frontal lobe activity LOW
Amygdala activity HIGH
Therefore… disinhibited behaviour seen
Describe the changes within the frontal lobes and amygdala associated with depression.
Depression =
Frontal lobe activity HIGH
Amygdala activity LOW
Therefore… behaviours and emotions depressed.
Give some examples where physical conditions can lead to mood disorders.
Hormone disturbance - Thyroid Vitamin deficiency - B12 Heart and lung disease Kidney disease Liver disease
Give some examples of external / environmental factors that can predispose depression.
Drug abuse - amphetamines…
Alcohol abuse
Psychological trauma
Which 3 major brain structures are involved in the emergence of mood disorders?
Limbic system
Frontal lobes
Basal ganglia
What are the functions of the frontal lobe?
Motor Language Executive function Attention Memory Mood Social and moral reasoning (social inhibition)
What are the functions of the limbic system?
Emotion
Motivation
Memory
What are the functions of the basal ganglia?
Motor
Emotion
Cognition
Behaviour
