Major Depressive Disorder Bipolar Disorder

Magnified states of either: Depression: Lethargic, listless state characterized by sadness. Mania: Excited state characterized by mental & physical hyperactivity.

Causes of Mood Disorders Runs in Families Chemical imbalance: Serotonin Learned Helplessness

Major Depressive Disorder Must have 5 of the following nine symptoms for 2 weeks: Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day. Little interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Significant changes in weight or appetite. Sleeping more or less than usual. Agitated or decreased level or activity. Fatigue or loss of energy. Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. Diminished ability to think or concentrate. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Major Depressive, Continued Symptoms must produce distress or impaired functioning. Often the grief is not tied to a specific event. Sadder but wiser effect Suicide:  Passing thoughts of suicide are normal; Its obsession over it that is concerning.

Schneidman’s 10 Common Characteristics of Suicidal People Unendurable Psychological Pain Frustrated Psychological Needs Search for a Solution Attempt to end Consciousness Helplessness & Hopelessness Constriction of Options Ambivalence Communication of Intent Departure Lifelong Coping Patterns

Cognitive Errors in Depression Overgeneralizing: A few (or even a single) bad experiences makes you believe that all similar situations will turn out badly. Discounting the Positive: Positive features of a situation are explained away, they “don’t count”. Personalization: Mistakenly believing you are the cause of peoples’ actions. All or Nothing: Placing things into extreme black or white categories, ignoring exceptions and shades of gray. Arbitrary inferences: Drawing negative conclusions in the absence of sufficient evidence or of any evidence at all. Emotional Reasoning

Bipolar Disorder Alternating periods of mania & depression During the manic periods (4-5 days usually):  Lack of sleep  Mind is racing  Grandiose sense of self  Set impossible goals  No sense of long-term effect of actions  Usually Euphoric & Elated

“Baby Blues” & Postpartum Depression Baby Blues: common side-effect after giving birth. Symptoms last less than a month and include: Mood swings Anxiety Sadness Irritability Crying Decreased concentration Trouble sleeping

Postpartum Depression: more extreme symptoms than Baby Blues, interferes with your ability to take care of or bond with your baby. Symptoms include: Loss of appetite Insomnia Intense irritability and anger Overwhelming fatigue Loss of interest in sex Lack of joy in life Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy Severe mood swings Difficulty bonding with your baby Withdrawal from family and friends Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby Untreated, can last months and become dangerous Andrea Yates Case & Postpartum Psychosis “Baby Blues” & Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Causes Physical & Emotional: Major drop in hormone levels after giving birth Changed levels of chemicals in brain Causes mood swings Lack of sleep Inability to recover Causes irritability