Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders (affective disorders) • Disorders in which one’s range of affect (mood) is restricted (as in depression) or expanded (as in bipolar disorder). • Major Depression • Dysthymia • Bipolar Disorder (formerly manic depression) • Cyclothymia

Depression Symptoms • • • •

Emotional Cognitive Motivational Physical

Depression • more than just a case of “the blues” • overwhelming feelings of sadness • lack of interest in activities and inability to experience pleasure • excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness • changes in sleep, appetite, ability to concentrate • possible suicidal thoughts or actions

Major Depression • very severe • symptoms must be present for two weeks • person may be unable to function normally and may need hospitalization

Dysthymia • • •

less severe but “chronic”or long lasting symptoms must be present for two years person can usually function but leads a very unhappy, painful, unfulfilling existence

Bipolar Disorder • Person experiences alternating episodes of depression and mania “mood swings” • Manic episodes involving: – – – – – – – – –

excess energy, racing thoughts, pressured speech, grandiosity, impulsive behavior, poor judgment, little need of sleep, full of confidence, enthusiastic

Cyclothymia • a less severe form of bipolar disorder

Causes of Mood Disorders • biological factors – genetics - mood disorders are more common in close relatives, esp. bipolar disorder – brain chemistry changes as a result of experience (e.g., stress or illness) – Neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine

Causes of Mood Disorders - 2 • psychological (cognitive) factors – cognitive distortions or wrong interpretation of events – Cognitive triad – Aaron Beck – Attributional style - Seligman

• social factors/stressors – real or perceived loss or stress in various areas

Causes - 3 • Psychoanalytic perspective: • Early childhood experiences of loss of parental affection • Overdependence of external approval • Internalization of anger

Suicide • myth - people who talk about it never do it • fact - most people will give clues about their plans • fact - more women attempt but more men complete, men use more lethal methods • fact - people thinking of suicide will often give away possessions and “put their affairs in order” • fact - suicide is becoming more common among teens and children