What is a mood disorder?
A group of psychiatric syndromes characterized by a disturbance of mood accompanied by manic or depressive features.
Define mood.
A prolonged emotional state that colors the whole psychic life of an individual.
What is affect?
An emotional feeling tone associated with an idea, image, or situation.
List the types of mood disorders.
- Depression
- Hypomania
- Mania
- Bipolar affective disorder
- Mixed affective states
- Cyclothymic/Dysthymic disorders
- Seasonal affective disorder
What role does genetics play in mood disorders?
Family studies show that mental illness is common in families of patients with mental disorders.
What does the monoamine theory of affective disorder state?
Depression is caused by low or hypo functioning of neurotransmitters, while mania is caused by hyper functioning.
According to learning theory, how does depression develop?
Depression is learned from repeated episodes of lack, leading to low mood.
What is Sigmund Freud’s belief about the origin of depression?
Depression arises from a loss of a loved object.
Identify vulnerability factors for depression in women as noted by Harris and Holmes.
- Having 3 children below ten years
- Not working outside the home
- Not having a confiding husband
What is Seligman’s perspective on depression?
People who become depressed may resign to fate due to inability to change their economic or emotional conditions.
How does Aaron Beck describe the cognition of depressed patients?
Depressed patients have defective cognition, viewing events negatively.
What early life events can predispose individuals to psychological illness?
- Parental loss
- Abuse
- Divorce
- Loss of spouse
- Loneliness in the aged
- Business loss
- Loss of loved ones
- Physical illness
What are some organic causes of mood disorders?
- Steroids (Mania)
- Methyldopa (Depression)
- Cerebral tumors (frontal lobes)
- Cushing’s syndrome
What are the core symptoms of depression?
- Observable pathological low mood
- Anhedonia
- Reduced energy
What is the Hamilton triad?
The triad of symptoms comprising low mood, anhedonia, and reduced energy.
How is depression classified?
- Endogenous
- Exogenous
- Atypical
- Masked
What are the classifications of depression severity?
- Mild: 2 core plus 2 others
- Moderate: 2 core plus 3 others
- Severe: 3 core plus minimum of 4 others
What characterizes severe depression?
Severe depression may include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
What is the management approach for depression?
Diagnosis through history, applying the biopsychosocial model, and using antidepressants and psychotherapy as needed.
What is mania characterized by?
An elated/euphoric or irritable mood lasting for at least 8 days with hyperactivity.
What are some symptoms of mania?
- Increased energy level
- Extravagant spending
- Increased libido
- Risky sexual behavior
- Racing thoughts
- Flight of ideas
What is bipolar disorder?
A spectrum of mood disorders characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania.
What is a rapid cycler in mood disorders?
A subgroup with 3 or 4 distinct episodes of mood disorder within 12 months.
Fill in the blank: The core symptoms of depression include low mood, ______, and reduced energy.
anhedonia
