MOOD DISORDERS

Everyone experiences occasional strong unpleasant emotional reactions

Emotions is one way we are able to interpret and adapt to our world

However when these emotions careen out of control and become extreme is when one might have a mood disorder

Mood Disorders

Also known as Affective Disorders

Mood Disorders can also be diagnosed by a clinician when the emotional responses are consistently inappropriate for the situation.

Dysthemic Disorder

“Common Cold” of mental health

“Low Spirits”

4%-12% of people are affected

most likely to clear up w/o treatment

Loss of energy / interest / sense of humor for short period of time

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Also known as SAD

It is a special form of depression

Related to sunlight depravation (nurture)

Appears most often in the long, dark winter months.

It is related to the amount of the light-sensitive hormone melatonin in the body that regulates the body’s biological clock

Major Depression

Slow SpeechLoss of AppetiteLack of EnergyExtreme feelings of worthlessnessFrequent thoughts of deathIn sever cases can lead to psychotic distortions of reality (looks like schizophrenia)

Statistics for Major Depression

Accounts for a majority of all mental health casesIs still believed to be underdiagnosed and under treatedWall Street Journal reported that it costs Americans $43 billion a year (treatment / care / lost productivity)10-20 times more common today than 50 years agoIt is the single most common disability around the globe

Who Becomes Depressed

Higher for women than men

50 Years ago most cases were middle aged women

Today it is more often a teenage problem

Why A Teenage Problem

Research has come up with a possible explanation that explains why there is an increase in cases and that those cases are younger in age Out of control individualism & self-centeredness

(focus on individual) The Self-Esteem Movement (never have to face

failure) Culture of victimology – People look to blame

someone or something when things go wrong

Depression & Suicide

Suicide claims 1 in 50 depression sufferers

A person is more at risk when either on the way down or is recovering

When in the depths of depression they usually do not have the energy or will to do anything much less a suicide attempt

Any suicide threat should always be taken seriously

Causes for DepressionNature A person an have a genetic predisposition Often runs in the family Levels of chemicals in the body influence

depression Serotonin Dopamine Norepinephrine

Depression is also related lower brain wave activity in the left frontal lobe

Viral infections in the brain have caused depression

Causes

Biology can not explain Depression alone

It is the result of not only biological factors but also cognitive, social and behavioral factors as well

The Depression Cycle

Stage 1: Negative Event(s)Fred decides to be more sociable, but

when he asks Teresa for a date, she says she has other plans

Stage 2: Low Self Esteem & Negative InterpretationsFred concludes that he is not very

interesting or attractive and that people don’t like him

The Depression Cycle (cont.)

Stage 3: DEPRESSIONFred feels completely alone & unhappy

Stage 4: Negative BehaviorsFred avoids people, skips school and

neglects personal hygiene (no energy or motivation to take care of these aspects of his life)

The Depression Cycle (cont. part II)

Stage 5: Social Rejection & LonelinessDue to Fred’s negative behaviors, people

begin to avoid him – this reinforces his depression

Back to Stage 1: Negative EventsFred decides to be more sociable, but

when he asks Gina for a date, she says she has other plans

Cognitive-Behavioral Approach

The belief is that negative thinking can lead to depressionA person’s negative thinking is a learned

response that is reinforced over timeSince it is a learned response it can be

modified and changedCognitive-Behavioral therapy has proven

effective when treating someone with depression (it however is not a cure all)

Mania

Exaggerated Elation / Euphoric

Rapid Speech

Restlessness / Hyperactive

Unable to Concentrate

Agitation

Emotionally wound tight

Willing to take unnecessary risks with lives or resources

Bi-Polar Disorder

Formerly known as Manic-depressive Disorder

A person who swings from the “highs” of mania to the “lows” of major depression

After a Manic episode they fall into a depressive state and often have to deal with consequences of their behavior while manic

Affects about 1% of the world’s population