Download Mood Disorders

CHS AP Psychology
Unit 12/13: Mental Illness and
Therapies
• Essential Task 12/13.2:Discuss the major diagnostic
category of mood disorders with specific attention
to the diagnoses of major depressive disorder,
dysthymia, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, detail the defining
symptoms of each and identify the best
approach(es) for explaining the cause(es) of each.
Mood Disorders
Our emotions tell us how we are doing in life!
Depressive Disorders cause an individual to
suffer from depression—an unrelenting lack of
pleasure in life.
1. Major Depressive Disorder
a) Prolonged hopelessness and
lethargy
2. Bipolar disorder
a) Alternating between
depression and mania, a
hyperactive state
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Major Depressive Disorder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc
Depression is the “common cold” of psychological
disorders. 350 million people worldwide suffer from
depression in any given year (WHO, 2012).
Major depressive disorder occurs when signs of
depression last two weeks or more and are not
caused by drugs or medical conditions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Signs include:
Lethargy and fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Loss of interest in family & friends
Loss of interest in activities
Sleeping too little or too much
Eating too little or too much
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Major Depressive Disorder: Types
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
(dysthymia)
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Post-partum onset
Explaining Depression
Since depression is so prevalent
worldwide, investigators want to
develop a theory of depression that will
suggest ways to treat it.
Lewinsohn et al., (1985, 1995) note that
a theory of depression should explain
the following:
1. Behavioral and cognitive
changes
2. Common causes of
depression
Theory of Depression
3. Gender
differences
Theory of Depression
4. Depressive episodes self-terminate.
5. Depression is increasing, especially
in the teens.
Desiree Navarro/ Getty Images
Post-partum depression
Biological Perspective of Depression
Genetic Influences: Mood disorders
run in families. The rate of depression is
higher in identical (50%) than fraternal
twins (20%).
Jerry Irwin Photography
Linkage analysis and
association studies link possible
genes and dispositions for
depression.
Neurotransmitters & Depression
A reduction of
norepinephrine
and serotonin
Norepinephrine
has been
found in
depression.
Pre-synaptic
Neuron
Serotonin
Post-synaptic
Neuron
Negative Thoughts and Moods
Remember: someone’s “explanatory style” can play a
major role in becoming depressed
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Depression Cycle
1. Negative stressful
events.
2. Pessimistic explanatory
style (how you explain
to yourself what has
happened)
3. Hopeless depressed
state.
4. These hamper the way
the individual thinks and
acts, fueling personal
rejection.
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Bipolar Disorder
Formerly called manic-depressive disorder.
An alternation between depression and
mania signals bipolar disorder.
Depressive Symptoms
Manic Symptoms
Gloomy
Elation
Withdrawn
Inability to make
decisions
Tired
Slowness of thought
Euphoria
Desire for action
Hyperactive
Multiple ideas
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Manic Episode
A. Distinct period of abnormally and
persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable
mood, lasting at least 1 week
B. During the mood disturbance, 3 or more of
the following symptoms have persisted (4 or
more if the mood is only irritable)
1. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
2. Decreased need for sleep
3. More talkative than usual, or pressure to keep
talking
4. Racing thoughts (“flight of ideas”)
5. Distractibility
6. Increase in goal-directed activity
7. Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
that have the potential for negative
consequences
Manic Episode
C. The symptoms do not meet criteria for
a Mixed Episode
D. The symptoms cause significant
impairment in functioning or
necessitate hospitalization to prevent
harm to self or others
E. Not due to a GMC or substance
Mixed Episode
A. The criteria are met for both a
Manic Episode and a Major
Depressive Episode (except
duration) nearly every day
during at least a 1-week period
B. The symptoms cause significant
distress or impairment in
functioning
C. Not due to a GMC or
substance
Hypomanic Episode
A. Distinct period of persistently elevated,
expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 4
days
B. During the mood disturbance, 3 (or more) of
the following symptoms have been present (4
or more if mood is only irritable)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual, or pressure to keep talking
Racing thoughts (“flight of ideas”)
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that
have the potential for negative consequences
Hypomanic Episode
C. The episode is associated with an
unequivocal change in functioning that is
uncharacteristic of the person when not
symptomatic
D. The mood disturbance and change in
functioning are observable to others
E. The episode is not severe enough to cause
marked distress or impairment in functioning
and does not require hospitalization
F. Not due to a GMC or substance
Mood Episodes
Mixed Episode
Mania
Hypomania
Normal Mood
Depression
The Bipolar Brain
PET scans show that brain energy
consumption rises and falls with manic and
depressive episodes.
Courtesy of Lewis Baxter an Michael E.
Phelps, UCLA School of Medicine
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Bipolar Disorder
Many great writers, poets, and composers
suffered from bipolar disorder. During their
manic phase creativity surged, but not
during their depressed phase.
Catherine Zeta-Jones:
Actress
Tim Burton:
Film Maker
Virginia Woolf:
Writer
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Suicide
The most severe form of behavioral response
to depression is suicide. Each year some 1
million people commit suicide worldwide.
Suicide
• Risk Factors:
– Best predictor = Prior attempt
– Living alone, especially if
divorced/separated
– Retired/unemployed
– Elderly
– Loss of a loved one
– Chronic illness
– Financial troubles
– Feelings of hopelessness
– Impulsivity
– Sexual identity difficulties
Suicide
• Who attempts? Who completes?
– Women: 3-4 times more likely to attempt
suicide
– Men: 3-4 times more likely to complete
suicide
– Ages 18-24: Peak age for attempting suicide
– Ages 65+: Peak age for completing suicide
Suicide
• Common Warning Signs
– Symptoms of depression
– Talking about death, disappearing,
“ending it all”, etc., even just in passing
– Writing letters, saying last goodbyes
– Getting rid of personal effects, making
a will
– Arranging for the care of pets, plants,
etc.
– Extravagant spending
Suicide
• Prevention
– Help the person regain ability to cope with
immediate stressors
– Maintaining supportive contact with the person
– Help the person realize that their distress is
impairing their judgment
– Help the person realize that the distress is not
endless
– Broad based programs focused on high-risk
groups
– Crisis hotlines
– Call 911/ER