Mood Disorders

Question 1

What is an affective Disorder?

Answer 1

An affective disorder (or sometimes called a ‘mood disorder’), is when a person experiences extreme moods to the point that it significantly impacts their emotions, physical well-being, or behaviour.

Question 2

What are two examples of affective disorders?

Answer 2

Depressive Disorders
Bipolar Disorders

Question 3

What factors have been assocaied with affective disorders?

Answer 3

• Family history.
• Previous diagnosis of a mood disorder.
• Trauma, stress, or major life changes in the case of depression.
• Physical illness or use of certain medications.
• Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder.

Question 4

What are some reasons for affective disorders not to be diagnosed or treated?

Answer 4

1. the person doesn’t realise they have a problem.
2. the person doesn’t believe their condition can be treated or helped.
3. some physical complaints may be misinterpreted as a medical condition.
4. local support or health care policy may be insufficient or difficult to access for the person (consider where the person lives);
5. community attitudes or stigmatisation may mean the person does not want to seek help.

Question 5

What are the most common types of depressive disorders?

Answer 5

• Major depressive Disorder,
• Persistent Depressive Disorder

Question 6

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Answer 6

Is a diagnosis made when a person experiences a severely depressed mood which causes significant distress or impairment to social, occupational or other important areas to the person’s life

Question 7

What are signs and symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

Answer 7

• Depressed mood most of the day,
• Anhedonia,
• significant weight loss or gain,
• insomnia or hypersomnia,
• psychomotor agitation or slowness,
• fatigue or energy loss,
• feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt,
• diminished ability to think of concentrate,
• recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation

Question 8

What is Anhedonia?

Answer 8

This is when a person experiences a loss of pleasure in undertaking previous activities that the person enjoyed.

Question 9

How is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) characterised?

Answer 9

Dysthymia is characterised by a person experiencing chronic depressive symptoms for at least 2 years.

Question 10

Is Persistent Depressive Disorder considered more severe than major depressive disorder?

Answer 10

NO

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of Persistant Depressive Disorder?

Answer 11

• Poor appetiate or overeating,
• insomnia or hypersomnia,
• low energy or fatigue,
• low self esteem, poor concentration or difficulties making decisions,
• feelings of hopelessness

Question 12

What are the nursing care focuses for depressive disorders?

Answer 12

1. Risk of Harm
2. Thoughts and feelings of self-worth
3. Social Interactions
4. Self-Care

Question 13

What medications help treat depressive disorders?

Answer 13

antidepressants

Question 14

What are the three types of antidepressants?

Answer 14

1. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
2. Tricyclic (TCA),
3. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Question 15

Are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAIOs) first or second generation medications?

Answer 15

First generation - more side effects.

Question 16

What is a bipolar disorder?

Answer 16

A bipolar disorder is when a person experiences a combination of mania or hypomania and a depressive episodes.

Question 17

What is mania?

Answer 17

Mania is a psychological condition that causes a person to experience unreasonable euphoria, very intense moods, hyperactivity, and delusions. A serious change from a persons normal behaviour and thinking.

Question 18

Why is mania sometimes dangerous?

Answer 18

• People may not sleep or eat while in a manic episode.
• They may engage in risky behaviors and harm themselves.

Question 19

What are some symptoms of mania and hypomania?

Answer 19

• inflated self esteem,
• decreased need for sleep,
• more talkative than usual,
• flight of ideas,
• distractability,
• increase in goal driven activity or psychomotor agitation,
• increases in risk taking behavour.

Question 20

What are some nursing considerations for mania?

Answer 20

1. Maintain a low level of stimulus.
2. Encourage appropriate exercise. 3.Communicate with short and concise statements.
3. Reinforce appropriate limits and boundaries with the person.
4. Promoting sleep and nutrition.

Question 21

What is lithium?

Answer 21

• Mood stabiliser
• Specific treat of mania
• Physical screen prior to commencement is required (ability of liver and kidneys to process chemicals)
• Takes approx. 10 days after therapeutic blood levels have been reached to be effective.

Question 22

What are the side effects of lithium?

Answer 22

• Tremor
• Thirst
• Urinary frequency
• Dry mouth
• Kidney problems
• Weight gain
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Discoordination
• Skin and hair changes
• Tiredness
• Confusion and distractibility

Question 23

What are some indications of early stage lithium toxciity?

Answer 23

• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea & Vomiting
• Coarse hand tremor
• Twitching
• Lethargy
• Ataxia
• Drowsiness

Question 24

What are some indications of late stage lithium toxicity?

Answer 24

• Fever
• Decreased urine output
• Hypotension
• Irregular pulse
• ECG Changes
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

Question 25

What are three anticonvulsants?

Answer 25

1. Sodium Valproate (Epilim) 2. Carbamazapine (Tegretol) 3. Toprimate (Topamax)

Question 26

What class of medication is Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Answer 26

Second Generation. Generally, first choice for people seeking treatment for depression.

Question 27

What are some side effects of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Answer 27

* sleeping problems * weight gain * sexual dysfunction * Serotonin Syndrome is a risk