Mood Disorders Flashcards
Core symptoms of depression
Continuous low mood for at least 2 weeks
Lack of energy
Lack of enjoyment/interest (anhedonia)
Somatic symptoms of depression
Sleep changes - early morning waking, insomnia Appetite and weight changes Diurnal variation of mood Psychomotor retardation/agitation Loss of libido
Cognitive symptoms of depression
Low self esteem Guilt/self blame Hopelessness Hypochondriacal thoughts Poor concentration/attention Suicidal thoughts
Severity of depression
Mild - 2 core + 2 others
Moderate - 2 core + 3/4 others
Severe - 3 core + at least 4 others
- can also have severe with psychotic symptoms
Features of postnatal depression
1-2 months postpartum
Usual symptoms of depression
- worries about baby’s health or ability to cope with baby
Risk factors for postnatal depression
PHx or FHx of depression Older age Single mother Unwanted pregnancy Poor social support Previous PND
Symptoms of hypomania
Several of following features with considerable interference with work/social activity for at least several days
- mildly elevated, expansive or irritable mood
- increased energy/activity
- increased self esteem
- sociability, talkativeness, over familiarity
- increased sex drive
- reduced need for sleep
- difficulty focussing on one task alone
Symptoms of mania
Elevated/expansive/irritable mood (at least 1 week) Can occur with or without psychotic symptoms Increased energy/activity Grandiosity/increased self-esteem Pressure of speech Flight of ideas/racing thoughts Distractible Reduced need for sleep Increased libido Social inhibitions lost Psychotic symptoms
Define bipolar affective disorder
Alternating periods of abnormal mood elevation and depression associated with change or impairment in functioning
- manic episode
- hypomanic episode
- depressive episode
- mixed episode
Types of persistent mood disorders
Cyclothymia - mild periods of elation/depression - early onset/chronic course - common in relative of BPD Dysthymia - chronic low mood not fulfilling the criteria of depression
Define cyclothymia
Period of at least 2 years of instability of mood involving several periods of both depression and hypomania with or without intervening periods of normal mood
Define dysthymia
Period of at least 2 years of contestant or constantly recurring depression mood
- intervening periods of normal mood rarely last longer than a few weeks
- no episodes of hypomania
Define mixed affective episode
Episode characterised by mixture or rapid alternation of hypomanic, manic and depressive symptoms
- usually within a few hours
ICD 10 classification of bipolar disorder
Requires at least 2 episodes
- one of which must be hypomanic, manic or mixed episode
Differential diagnosis of mood disorders
Normal fluctuations in mood Adjustments disorders/bereavement PTSD Dementia and other brain disorders Personality disorders Anxiety disorders
Causes of mood disorders
Biological - genetic - brain illness - physical illness Psychological - childhood experiences - view of yourself and the world - personality traits Social - work, housing, finance - relationships/support
Treatment of mood disorders
Biological
- pharmacological
- ECT - electroconvulsive therapy
- rTMS - repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
- tDCS - transcranial direct current stimulation