Intro to Psychology
Mood disorders can turn your world upside down. They mess with your emotions, thoughts, and daily life. From major depression to bipolar disorder, these conditions affect millions of people, causing intense sadness or wild mood swings.
Understanding mood disorders is crucial for mental health. They're not just "feeling blue" – they're serious conditions with biological and psychological roots. Recognizing symptoms and knowing the differences between disorders can help you or loved ones get the right support.
Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
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- Major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that last for at least two weeks
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed (anhedonia)
- Changes in appetite and weight, either significant weight loss or gain
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
- Psychomotor agitation (restlessness) or retardation (slowed movements and speech)
- Fatigue or decreased energy, feeling tired most of the day
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, often disproportionate to the situation
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions, leading to reduced productivity
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, which may include specific plans or attempts
- Bipolar disorder symptoms:
- Manic episodes:
- Elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that is distinctly different from usual non-depressed mood
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, believing one has special powers or abilities
- Decreased need for sleep, feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep
- More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking, often with rapid speech
- Flight of ideas or racing thoughts, quickly jumping from one idea to another
- Distractibility, attention easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant stimuli
- Increase in goal-directed activity (socially, at work, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
- Excessive involvement in risky or pleasurable activities with high potential for negative consequences (shopping sprees, sexual indiscretions)
- Depressive episodes:
- Similar to MDD symptoms, including sadness, anhedonia, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts
- Manic episodes:
Major Depressive Disorder vs. Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Major depressive disorder (MDD):
- Characterized by one or more discrete major depressive episodes that last at least two weeks
- Episodes cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
- Symptoms are severe and represent a clear change from previous functioning
- Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia:
- Chronic, low-grade depression lasting at least two years, with symptoms present more days than not
- Symptoms are less severe than MDD but more persistent, creating a constant feeling of being "down" or "blue"
- May have brief periods of normal mood, but these last less than two months at a time
- Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in functioning, although the impact may be less pronounced than in MDD
Biological and Psychological Factors in Mood Disorders
- Biological factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Increased risk in first-degree relatives of individuals with mood disorders, suggesting a genetic component
- Twin studies suggest heritability, with higher concordance rates in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins
- Neurotransmitter imbalances
- Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are implicated in mood regulation
- Abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels or receptor sensitivity may contribute to mood disorders
- Neuroendocrine abnormalities
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, which plays a role in stress response
- Abnormal cortisol levels and circadian rhythms, leading to disrupted sleep and mood patterns
- Brain structure and function
- Abnormalities in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, which are involved in emotion regulation and cognition
- Reduced volume and activity in these regions, as observed in neuroimaging studies
- Genetic predisposition
- Psychological factors:
- Cognitive distortions and negative thinking patterns
- Negative view of self, world, and future (Beck's cognitive triad), leading to pessimistic outlooks
- Attributional style, with a tendency to make internal (self-blame), stable (persistent), and global (generalizing) attributions for negative events
- Early life experiences and trauma
- Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or loss of a parent, can increase vulnerability to mood disorders
- Insecure attachment styles, developed in early childhood, may contribute to emotional instability and difficulty in relationships
- Personality traits
- Neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotions) and introversion (low sociability and stimulation-seeking) are associated with increased risk
- Stress and life events
- Stressful life events, such as loss of a loved one, job loss, or relationship problems, can trigger or exacerbate mood disorders
- Reduced ability to cope with stress due to a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors
- Cognitive distortions and negative thinking patterns
Key Terms to Review (30)
Serotonin: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological and psychological processes in the human body. It is often referred to as the 'feel-good' chemical due to its association with mood, sleep, appetite, and other important functions.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the interplay between an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. It aims to help people identify and change negative or maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors to improve their overall mental health and well-being.
Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in various physiological and psychological processes within the human body. It is often referred to as the 'feel-good' chemical due to its association with pleasure, reward, and motivation. Dopamine is integral to the understanding of contemporary psychology, the functioning of the nervous system, substance use and abuse, sexual behavior and gender identity, personality, mood disorders, and childhood disorders.
Amygdala: The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It is a key component in the processing and regulation of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, as well as in the formation of memories associated with emotional events.
Hippocampus: The hippocampus is a small, seahorse-shaped structure located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions, including memory formation, spatial navigation, and emotional processing. The hippocampus is a key component of the limbic system, which is involved in regulating mood, behavior, and other essential physiological processes.
Norepinephrine: Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is a neurotransmitter and hormone produced by the adrenal glands and certain neurons in the brain. It plays a crucial role in the body's stress response, regulating various physiological and psychological processes.
Circadian Rhythms: Circadian rhythms are the internal biological cycles that regulate various physiological and behavioral processes in living organisms, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature, and digestion. These rhythms are approximately 24 hours in length and are primarily synchronized by external cues, such as sunlight and social activities.
Learned Helplessness: Learned helplessness is a psychological state in which an individual has learned to believe that they are powerless to control or change their circumstances, often as a result of repeated exposure to uncontrollable or unavoidable negative experiences. This term is closely related to motivation, learning approaches, stress regulation, and mood disorders.
Major Depressive Disorder: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities, often accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms that significantly impair an individual's daily functioning. It is a mood disorder that falls under the broader category of depressive disorders.
Martin Seligman: Martin Seligman is a renowned psychologist known as the founder of the positive psychology movement. His work has significantly influenced the understanding of happiness, well-being, and the factors that contribute to a fulfilling life, particularly in the context of the pursuit of happiness and mood disorders.
Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). It is a chronic and complex disorder that can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. This term is particularly relevant in the context of diagnosing and classifying psychological disorders, understanding different perspectives on psychological disorders, and examining mood and related disorders.
Aaron Beck: Aaron Beck is a renowned psychiatrist and the founder of cognitive therapy, a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns to improve emotional and behavioral outcomes. His work has been instrumental in understanding and treating various psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Diathesis-Stress Model: The diathesis-stress model is a framework that explains the development of psychological disorders as the result of an interaction between an individual's predisposition or vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors or life events (stress). It suggests that the presence of a diathesis, or underlying susceptibility, combined with the experience of significant stress, can lead to the onset of a psychological disorder.
Hamilton Rating Scale: The Hamilton Rating Scale is a widely used clinical assessment tool that measures the severity of depressive symptoms in individuals. It was developed by psychiatrist Max Hamilton in the late 1950s and is commonly employed in the context of mood and related disorders.
Psychosocial Stressors: Psychosocial stressors are environmental and social factors that can contribute to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being, ultimately impacting their overall health and functioning. These stressors are closely linked to the development and management of mood and related disorders.
Dysthymia: Dysthymia is a chronic, low-grade form of depression that persists for an extended period, typically for at least two years. It is characterized by a persistent depressed mood, accompanied by various other symptoms that can impact an individual's daily life and functioning.
Persistent Depressive Disorder: Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a chronic form of depression characterized by a long-lasting, low-grade depressed mood. It is a pervasive and persistent state of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest that can significantly impact an individual's daily life and functioning.
Mood Regulation: Mood regulation refers to the ability to manage and control one's emotional state, including the intensity, duration, and expression of emotions. It is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence and mental well-being, allowing individuals to navigate various situations and maintain a balanced emotional state.
Anhedonia: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure or a lack of interest or motivation in activities that were once enjoyable. It is a core symptom of mood disorders, such as depression, as well as certain psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
Manic Episodes: Manic episodes are a key feature of bipolar disorder, characterized by an abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep. These episodes represent a significant departure from a person's normal state and can have a profound impact on their daily functioning and relationships.
Cyclothymia: Cyclothymia is a mood disorder characterized by cyclical, persistent mood changes between mild depression and mild elation. It is a milder form of bipolar disorder, with mood swings that are less severe than those seen in bipolar I or II disorder.
Psychomotor Agitation: Psychomotor agitation refers to a state of excessive physical and mental restlessness, characterized by increased motor activity and a subjective sense of inner tension or unease. This term is often associated with mood and related disorders, as it can be a symptom of various psychological conditions.
Beck Depression Inventory: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of depressive symptoms in individuals. It was developed by Aaron T. Beck, a pioneering psychiatrist, as a tool to assess the presence and intensity of depression in both clinical and research settings.
Cognitive Distortions: Cognitive distortions are irrational thought patterns that can contribute to the development and maintenance of mood and personality disorders. These distorted ways of thinking can lead to negative emotions, maladaptive behaviors, and a distorted perception of reality.
HPA Axis: The HPA axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. This axis plays a crucial role in the body's stress response and regulation of mood, emotion, and energy balance.
Mania: Mania is a state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity levels, often accompanied by impulsive behavior and a reduced need for sleep. It is a key feature of bipolar disorder and can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning and decision-making abilities.
Electroconvulsive Therapy: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical procedure in which a brief, controlled electric current is passed through the brain to induce a seizure, with the goal of improving severe mental health conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It is a treatment option for individuals who have not responded to other forms of therapy or medication.
Neurotransmitter Systems: Neurotransmitter systems refer to the complex networks of chemical messengers in the brain that facilitate communication between neurons. These systems play a crucial role in regulating various physiological and psychological processes, including mood, cognition, and behavior.
Hypomania: Hypomania is a state of elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity levels that is less severe than full-blown mania, which is characteristic of bipolar disorder. It represents a milder form of the manic phase experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during specific times of the year, typically during the fall and winter months when there is less natural sunlight. It is characterized by a persistent low mood, decreased energy, changes in sleep and appetite, and a general sense of sadness or hopelessness.