Major Depressive Episode - Characterized by an extremely depressed mood and/or a loss of pleasure
in most daily activities (anhedonia) lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
Additional symptoms include changes in weight or appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of
worthlessness or guilt, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Manic Episode - A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable
mood lasting at least one week. Symptoms include inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep,
talkativeness, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased goal-directed activity, and excessive
involvement in pleasurable but potentially harmful activities.
Hypomanic Episode - Similar to a manic episode but less severe and shorter, lasting at least four
days. It involves similar symptoms but does not cause significant impairment in functioning or
require hospitalization.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) - Involves chronic depressive symptoms, including depressed
mood most of the day for at least two years, with no symptom-free periods lasting longer than two
months.
Bipolar I - Characterized by the presence of at least one manic episode which can cause significant
impairment and may require hospitalization. Major depressive episodes are common but not
required for diagnosis.
Bipolar II - Diagnosed when someone experiences at least one hypomanic episode and at least one
major depressive episode, but no manic episodes.
Cyclothymia - A chronic mood disorder with fluctuating periods of hypomanic and depressive
symptoms that do not meet the criteria for full episodes. These symptoms must last for at least two
years.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - Involves significant depressive symptoms that occur in the week
before menstruation and improve after the onset of menses. Symptoms include mood swings,
irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, decreased interest in activities, and physical symptoms.
Panic Disorder - Characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and subsequent worry or fear
of future attacks.
Agoraphobia - Fear or anxiety about situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in
the event of panic-like symptoms. These situations are often avoided or endured with distress.
, PTSD - Arises after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related
stimuli, negative thoughts and moods, and changes in arousal and reactivity.
OCD - Defined by the presence of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing anxiety). These obsessions and
compulsions are time-consuming and cause significant distress or impairment.
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) - Marked fear or anxiety about social situations where the
individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others, leading to avoidance or endurance with intense
distress.
Simple Phobia (Specific Phobia) - Involves an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or
situation, leading to avoidance behavior that significantly interferes with functioning.
Acute Stress Disorder - Similar to PTSD but symptoms develop within four weeks of the trauma and
last for less than one month.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various life
areas, persisting for six months or more. This worry is accompanied by physical symptoms like
muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.
Drug Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder - Medications targeting neurotransmitters like
serotonin and norepinephrine.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) - These medications, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil,
block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the brain. Side effects may include
nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain.
Tricyclic Antidepressants - These older antidepressants block the reuptake of both serotonin and
norepinephrine. Side effects can include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and drowsiness.
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) - These medications inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase,
which breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. They can have serious
interactions with certain foods and medications.
in most daily activities (anhedonia) lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
Additional symptoms include changes in weight or appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of
worthlessness or guilt, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Manic Episode - A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable
mood lasting at least one week. Symptoms include inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep,
talkativeness, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased goal-directed activity, and excessive
involvement in pleasurable but potentially harmful activities.
Hypomanic Episode - Similar to a manic episode but less severe and shorter, lasting at least four
days. It involves similar symptoms but does not cause significant impairment in functioning or
require hospitalization.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) - Involves chronic depressive symptoms, including depressed
mood most of the day for at least two years, with no symptom-free periods lasting longer than two
months.
Bipolar I - Characterized by the presence of at least one manic episode which can cause significant
impairment and may require hospitalization. Major depressive episodes are common but not
required for diagnosis.
Bipolar II - Diagnosed when someone experiences at least one hypomanic episode and at least one
major depressive episode, but no manic episodes.
Cyclothymia - A chronic mood disorder with fluctuating periods of hypomanic and depressive
symptoms that do not meet the criteria for full episodes. These symptoms must last for at least two
years.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - Involves significant depressive symptoms that occur in the week
before menstruation and improve after the onset of menses. Symptoms include mood swings,
irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, decreased interest in activities, and physical symptoms.
Panic Disorder - Characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and subsequent worry or fear
of future attacks.
Agoraphobia - Fear or anxiety about situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in
the event of panic-like symptoms. These situations are often avoided or endured with distress.
, PTSD - Arises after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related
stimuli, negative thoughts and moods, and changes in arousal and reactivity.
OCD - Defined by the presence of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing anxiety). These obsessions and
compulsions are time-consuming and cause significant distress or impairment.
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) - Marked fear or anxiety about social situations where the
individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others, leading to avoidance or endurance with intense
distress.
Simple Phobia (Specific Phobia) - Involves an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or
situation, leading to avoidance behavior that significantly interferes with functioning.
Acute Stress Disorder - Similar to PTSD but symptoms develop within four weeks of the trauma and
last for less than one month.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various life
areas, persisting for six months or more. This worry is accompanied by physical symptoms like
muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.
Drug Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder - Medications targeting neurotransmitters like
serotonin and norepinephrine.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) - These medications, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil,
block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the brain. Side effects may include
nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain.
Tricyclic Antidepressants - These older antidepressants block the reuptake of both serotonin and
norepinephrine. Side effects can include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and drowsiness.
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) - These medications inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase,
which breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. They can have serious
interactions with certain foods and medications.
