Week Eight - Neuroscience of Mood Disorders Flashcards
What is a mood disorder?
A mental health problem that primarily affects a person’s emotional state. It is a disorder in which a person experiences long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or both (mania).
What needs to occur to be diagnosed with a mood disorder?
Symptoms must be present for several weeks or longer.
When is depression considered clinical or major?
When the depression continues to be present even when stressful events are over or there is no apparent cause (but usually a specific cause)
How long do symptoms need to last to be diagnosed with clinical depression?
At least 2 weeks
What is postpartum depression?
Depression occurring during pregnancy or after delivery
What is persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)?
This is a chronic form of depression that can last for at least two years. Symptoms may occasionally lessen in severity during this time.
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
This is another type of depression that occurs during certain seasons of the year. It typically starts in the late autumn or early winter and lasts until spring or summer.
What is psychotic depression?
Severe depression combined with psychotic episodes, such as hallucinations or delusions.
The episodes may be upsetting or disturbing and often have a theme
Symptoms of MDD/CD?
Serious disruption of normal eating/drinking
Lack of motivation
Persistent feelings of sadness
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Physical symptoms of MDD/CD?
Chronic pain, headaches, digestive problems, intensive fatigue, sleep disruption
How many DSM-5 criteria do we need to meet to be diagnosed with MDD?
5 in the same two week period
What 4 things have to be occurring to be diagnosed with MDD?
- Symptoms causing clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupations or other functioning
- Episode not caused by physiological effects, substances or medical condition
- Episode not better explained by another disorder
- No history of manic episode
How many people in low-middle income countries do not receive treatment for their mental disorder? %
What are the barriers to this?
76-85%
Barriers to effective care include
- lack of resources
- lack of trained health-care providers
- social stigma associated with mental disorders.
- inaccurate assessment (many not correctly diagnosed)
A depressive episode can be categorised into what? (3)
mild, moderate or severe
What is recurrent depressive disorder?
Repeated depressive episodes.
During these episodes, the person experiences depressed mood, loss of interest and enjoyment, and reduced energy leading to diminished activity for at least two weeks.
What is mild depression characterised by?
Some difficulty in continuing with ordinary work and social activities but will probably not cease to function completely.
What is most likely to occur in a severe depressive episode?
It is unlikely that the sufferer will be able to continue with social, work or domestic activities, except to a limited extent.
What is bipolar affective disorder?
Consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood. Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, pressure of speech, inflated self-esteem and a decreased need for sleep.
What is depression the result of?
A complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors.