Psychological Disorders - Mood Disorders

Question 1

Bipolar disorder

Answer 1

Shift in moods between two states (poles)

Depression to mania characterized by high energy, impulsiveness, euphoria

Question 2

Mood disorders - psychological factors

Answer 2

> Psychoanalytic - unresolved childhood issues, symbolic expression of anger
Attachment - insecure attachments, separations, losses increase vulnerability
Behavioural/learning - reduction in positive reinforces from others. E.g. learned helplessness, ruminative coping style
Cognitive research - cognitive distortions and attributions of events

Question 3

Bipolar depressive disorders

Answer 3

Mania as well as depression (i.e. - two poles)

Bipolar disorder
Cychlothymic disorder

Question 4

Unipolar Depressive Disorders

Answer 4

> European Americans have highest risk, but African and Hispanic Americans more severe
Average age of onset is 32 (15-24 highest risk of major depressive episode

Major depression
Dysthymic disorder

Question 5

Mania - general

Answer 5

A distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or requiring hospitalization)

3 criteria must be met to a ‘significant degree’ (4 if mood is irritable instead of elevated)

Question 6

Bipolar I vs II

Answer 6

Bipolar I > presence of manic episode

Bipolar II > one or more depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic episode (no full manic episode required)

Question 7

Major depression

Answer 7

Extreme sadness (dysphoria) or extreme apathy plus four other symptoms for 2+ weeks
May be single or repeated episodes

Question 8

Hypomanic episode - general

Answer 8

Distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive or irritable mood, lasting at least 4 days
> 3 criteria must be met to a significant degree, 4 if mood is irritable instead of elevated
> Not severe enough to hospitalize - no psychotic features

Question 9

Mood disorders - sociocultural factors

Answer 9

Depression more likely among people of lower social status

Cross-culturally, more women than men
> Biological - hormonal imbalance (ovarian hormones may influence serotonin levels)
> Psychological - ruminative coping, relational style
> Social - less power, more victimised, gender-role socialization

Question 10

Mood disorders - general

Answer 10

Significant change in emotional state.
Most experience some depression, but clinical depression specific length of time and symptoms
Symptoms for mood disorders can exist in absence of triggering events

Question 11

Dysthymic disorder

Answer 11

Less severe, more chronic form of depression

Depressed mood plus two other symptoms lasting at least two years

Question 12

Cyclothymic disorder

Answer 12

Less severe but more chronic form of bipolar

Alternates between milder periods of mania and moderate depression

Question 13

Mania (and hypomania) - criteria (7)

Answer 13

> inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
decreased need for sleep (rested after 3 hours/night)
more talkative/ ‘pressured speech’
Racing thoughts
Distractibility
Increased goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with high chance of painful consequences

Question 14

Mood disorders - biological factors

Answer 14

Genetics
> family, twin and adoption studies show genetic transmission (clearer for bipolar than major depression)
Neurotransmitters
> Serotonin and norepinephrine abnormalities (correlation not always equal causation)
Hormones
> Repeated activation of hormonal stress system may lay ground for depression