Module 49

Mood Disorders

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Major Depressive Episode• Depressed mood• Loss of interest in

pleasurable activities• Decrease or increase in

appetite OR significant weight loss or gain

• Persistently increased or decreased sleep

• Psychomotor agitation or retardation

• Fatigue or low energy• Feelings of worthlessness

or inappropriate guilt• Decreased concentration

or indecisiveness• Recurrent thoughts of

death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempt

Five or more symptoms present for ≥ 2 weeks

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# 1 reason people seek Mental Health Services

Sex Differences F ¼ (22%) M 1/8 (13%) - life time prevalence.

Women (11.2%) Men (5.8%) per year

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Most depressions last less four months.

1/2 who have one episode never have another.1/4 have a multiple recurrence.

15% of People with Major Depression commit suicide.

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Preventing SuicideIf someone tells you they are thinking of suicide . . .1) Take it seriously

70% tell someone before hand.2) Talk to them about it3) Recognise symptoms

- giving away possessions- sudden recovery from depressed mood

4) Don’t leave them alone!

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5) Encourage them to get help . . . . and Get help yourself .6) Discourage Drinking. Alcohol is a depressant. It just makes it worse!

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Symptoms of Mania - abnormal, persistent elevated or irritable mood - inflated self esteem or grandiosity- decreased need for sleep - uncontrolled talking-racing thoughts - excessive risky activities (spending sprees, sexual indiscretions, foolish business investments)

- generally develops before 30- if untreated episodes last from 2 to 6 weeks

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Bipolar Disorderreoccurring episodes of depression and mania often with normal moods in between.

Hypomania – less sever mania

Dysthymia - less sever depression.

Cyclothymia - less sever bipolar disorder- generally begin in early adulthood and rarely leads to suicide.

Causes of mood disorders

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CausesBiological Perspective Genetics

- twin Studies- linkage Studies

Brain Activity

Neurochemicals- Norepinephrine and Seratonin

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Social Cognitive Perspective

Learned HelplessnessRumination (Negative Thoughts)

- state dependant memories

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Social Cognitive Perspective

Explanatory Style

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Stressors Reactive Depression - response to an identifiable stressor(s).

Poor coping strategies

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Drug Therapy Serotonin & norepinephrine

Tricyclics Monoamine Oxidase InhibitorsProzac Family

Cognitive Therapy – Challenge Stinking Thinking

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Drugs or Talk Therapy --- Which works best?

Both Work.

The combination: - works better for people with Major Depression- decrease probability of re-occurrence