Mood disorders: Psychological disorders characterised by emotional extremes,
mostly pertaining to unipolar depression (a.k.a. major depression, major depressive
disorder) and bipolar disorder.
Unipolar depression: Characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of
interest in external stimuli. Major depression or bipolar depression refer to a
fluctuating state between depression and mania, whereas unipolar does not. Instead,
it is solely focused on the lows, the negative emotions and symptoms.
Mania: A state of breathless euphoria or frenzied energy.
Statistics
● 15% will experience a severe episode at some time in their lives.
● Twice as many women have it (albeit milder).
● WHY - Women’s disorders tend to lead to a vulnerability of internalised
states of depression, anxiety, and inhibited sexual desire, whereas
men’s disorders tend to be more external and involve substance
abuse, antisocial behaviour, and lack of impulse control.
● Prevalence is similar for boys and girls.
● Dramatic increases in younger ages.
● Between age 30 - 65 white Americans have higher rates than Afro-Americans.
● 85% recover without treatment, but 40% will have at least one further episode.
● The rate is higher among poor people than wealthier people.
Symptoms
● Having behavioural/cognitive changes
● Feeling extremely trapped
● Being inactive and unmotivated
● Becoming sensitive to negative occurrences
● More often recalling negative information
● Anticipating more negative outcomes
● Performing as well as someone who is not depressed but THINKING they
have done worse.
● Feeling miserable, empty, and humiliated.
● Poor memory
● Headaches, indigestion, constipation, dizziness, pain
● Appetite and sleep disturbance
● 7 - 15% commit suicide (in comparison to 1% of people who are not
depressed)
The five main areas of functioning affected
, 1. Emotional - Feeling miserable, empty, humiliated, and experiencing little
pleasure.
2. Motivational - Lacking drive, initiative, spontaneity.
3. Behavioural - Less active/productive.
4. Cognitive - Holding negative views of themselves, blaming themselves for
unfortunate events, pessimistic.
5. Physical - Headaches, dizzy spells, general pain.
Major depressive episode: A period of two or more weeks marked by 5+ symptoms
of depression. In extreme cases, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and
delusions occur.
DSM-V depressive disorders
Major depressive disorder: People who experience a major depressive episode
with no history of mania.
Dysthymic disorder: People who experience a longer-lasting (at least two years)
but less disabling pattern of depression.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A diagnosis given to women who repeatedly
experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during the week before
menstruation.
Disruptive mood regulation disorder: Characterised by a combination of
persistent depressive symptoms and recurrent outbursts of severe temper.
Unipolar disorder and stress
People with depression experience a greater number of stressful life events during
the month just before the onset of their symptoms. When this happens, the person is
more likely to skip their typical healthy mood regulation strategies (e.g. yoga,
running, reading, catching up with friends) - resulting in further mood problems.
● Exogenous depression: Reactive depression
● Endogenous depression: Response to internal factors
Early initial low mood symptoms generate further stress. This can lead to the person
effectively becoming more stressed about being stressed in the first place.
Relationship problems: Overworking, irritability and withdrawal can all cause
increased arguments. Being absorbed in their own stress can also make a person
less emotionally available to their partner. It can be frightening for partners to see
signs of depression if it has occurred before.
mostly pertaining to unipolar depression (a.k.a. major depression, major depressive
disorder) and bipolar disorder.
Unipolar depression: Characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of
interest in external stimuli. Major depression or bipolar depression refer to a
fluctuating state between depression and mania, whereas unipolar does not. Instead,
it is solely focused on the lows, the negative emotions and symptoms.
Mania: A state of breathless euphoria or frenzied energy.
Statistics
● 15% will experience a severe episode at some time in their lives.
● Twice as many women have it (albeit milder).
● WHY - Women’s disorders tend to lead to a vulnerability of internalised
states of depression, anxiety, and inhibited sexual desire, whereas
men’s disorders tend to be more external and involve substance
abuse, antisocial behaviour, and lack of impulse control.
● Prevalence is similar for boys and girls.
● Dramatic increases in younger ages.
● Between age 30 - 65 white Americans have higher rates than Afro-Americans.
● 85% recover without treatment, but 40% will have at least one further episode.
● The rate is higher among poor people than wealthier people.
Symptoms
● Having behavioural/cognitive changes
● Feeling extremely trapped
● Being inactive and unmotivated
● Becoming sensitive to negative occurrences
● More often recalling negative information
● Anticipating more negative outcomes
● Performing as well as someone who is not depressed but THINKING they
have done worse.
● Feeling miserable, empty, and humiliated.
● Poor memory
● Headaches, indigestion, constipation, dizziness, pain
● Appetite and sleep disturbance
● 7 - 15% commit suicide (in comparison to 1% of people who are not
depressed)
The five main areas of functioning affected
, 1. Emotional - Feeling miserable, empty, humiliated, and experiencing little
pleasure.
2. Motivational - Lacking drive, initiative, spontaneity.
3. Behavioural - Less active/productive.
4. Cognitive - Holding negative views of themselves, blaming themselves for
unfortunate events, pessimistic.
5. Physical - Headaches, dizzy spells, general pain.
Major depressive episode: A period of two or more weeks marked by 5+ symptoms
of depression. In extreme cases, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and
delusions occur.
DSM-V depressive disorders
Major depressive disorder: People who experience a major depressive episode
with no history of mania.
Dysthymic disorder: People who experience a longer-lasting (at least two years)
but less disabling pattern of depression.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A diagnosis given to women who repeatedly
experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during the week before
menstruation.
Disruptive mood regulation disorder: Characterised by a combination of
persistent depressive symptoms and recurrent outbursts of severe temper.
Unipolar disorder and stress
People with depression experience a greater number of stressful life events during
the month just before the onset of their symptoms. When this happens, the person is
more likely to skip their typical healthy mood regulation strategies (e.g. yoga,
running, reading, catching up with friends) - resulting in further mood problems.
● Exogenous depression: Reactive depression
● Endogenous depression: Response to internal factors
Early initial low mood symptoms generate further stress. This can lead to the person
effectively becoming more stressed about being stressed in the first place.
Relationship problems: Overworking, irritability and withdrawal can all cause
increased arguments. Being absorbed in their own stress can also make a person
less emotionally available to their partner. It can be frightening for partners to see
signs of depression if it has occurred before.
