Mood DisordersSection A

Modular 23

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

Kinds of Mood Disorder

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

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

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

Kinds 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)

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

Causes 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

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

Treatment of Mood Disorders