Mood Disorders

1. Mood Disorders Section A Modular 23

2. Kinds of Mood Disorder • Mood disorder is a prolonged and disturbed emotional state that affects almost all of a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors • There are ten different types of mood disorders but this section will focus on major depressive disorder, bipolar I disorder, and Dysthymic disorder

3. Kinds of Mood Disorders • During depression, self-esteem hits bottom, a person is consumed with self pity, and feels worthless and guilty • Major depressive disorder is marked by at least two weeks of continually being in in a bad mood, having no interest in anything, and getting no pleasure from activities • A person must also have at least four of the following: problems eating, sleeping, thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, lacking energy, thinking about suicide, and feeling worthless or guilt • Women report major depression more often then men

4. Kinds of Mood Disorders • Chuck Elliot fluctuates between two extreme moods of depression and mania • Bipolar disorder is marked between episodes of depression and mania • Manic episodes go for at least a week and a person is euphoric, cheerful, and high– person shows three of the following symptoms: great self-esteem, little need for sleep, speaks rapidly and frequently, has racing thoughts, is easily distracted and pursues pleasurable activities

5. Kinds of Mood Disorders • Dysthymic disorder is being chronically but not continually depressed for two years • Shows at least two of these symptoms: poor appetite, insomnia, fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration, and feelings of hopelessness • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is another disorder that is the result of the decrease in the number of sunny days

6. Causes of Mood Disorders • The reason mood disorders develop is the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors • Biological theory of depression emphasizes underlying genetic, neurological, or physiological factors that may predispose a person to develop a mood disorder • Currently It is believed that a combination of genes produces a risk, or predisposition, for developing a mood disorder such as depression • Mononoamines (serotonin and nor epinephrine) are neurotransmitters that are known to be involved in mood problems • Researchers have found that prefrontal cortex was about 40% smaller in depressed patients and was seen to be less active (faulty brain structure may be a cause)

7. Causes of Mood Disorders • Psychosocial factors– underlying personality traits, amount of social support, and the ability to deal with stressor, combine with biological factors to put a person at risk for mood disorders • Personality factors can determine a persons risk of developing mood disorder • Socially dependent personality – needs to constantly be acclaimed • Achievement personality—needs to meet their goals

8. Treatment of Mood Disorders • Antidepressant drugs act by increasing levels of a specific neurotransmitters (monoamines or serotonin) that is believed to be involved in regulation of emotions and moods • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)-Raise the level of serotonin (Prozac) • Drugs seem to work in about 70% of patients • Patients with less sever depression, psychotherapy was as effect as drugs • Those with more sever cases, a combination of both worked very well • Patients that were involved in psychotherapy were less likely to relapse then those who given drugs

9. Treatment of Mood Disorders • Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral salt that is the most effective treatment for bipolar I disorder because it reduces or prevents manic episodes • It is believed that it prevents neurons from being over stimulated • Lithium has high side effects including weight gain and many stop using it • Lithium is effective in treating individuals with mania– manic episodes without depression