Mood Disorders Illustrate Emotional Extremes Mood Disorders are characterized by emotional extremes and come in variety of forms: 1. Major Depressive Disorder 2. Dysthymic Disorder 3. Seasonal Affective Disorder 4. Bipolar Disorder

Explaining Mood Disorders Many behavioral and cognitive changes accompany depression Unmotivated, grades decreases, no sleep……. Depression is widespread Women at greater risk Women more passive Men more active Depression usually goes away Stressful events usually precede depression Depression is striking more and earlier

Explaining Mood Disorders Genetic Mood disorders are genetic Have not found a single “depression” gene The Brain Decrease in serotonin Lack of activity in frontal lobe

Dissociative Disorders Symptoms Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events and people Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety A sense of being detached from yourself (depersonalization) A perception of the people and things around you as distorted and unreal (derealization) A blurred sense of identity

Dissociative Disorders Causes children subjected to chronic physical, sexual or emotional abuse a home environment that is otherwise frightening or highly unpredictable. A child who learns to dissociate in order to endure an extended period of his or her youth may use this coping mechanism in response to stressful situations throughout life.

Schizophrenia Is Not One Disorder Schizophrenia is a group of disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions. Schizophrenics often experience hallucinations (false perceptions) and delusions (false beliefs of grandeur or persecution).

Positive vs. Negative Symptoms Positive symptoms involve the presence of inappropriate perceptions behavior. Ex: Hallucinations, Delusions, “Word Salad,” Inappropriate laughter, etc. Negative symptoms involves the absence of appropriate behavior. Ex: toneless voices, expressionless, rigid, mute, etc.

Personality disorders Symptoms Frequent mood swings Stormy relationships Social isolation Angry outbursts Suspicion and mistrust of others Difficulty making friends A need for instant gratification Poor impulse control Alcohol or substance abuse

Personality disorders Causes The causes of personality disorders are not fully known. Nurture- possible causes include trauma in early childhood such as abuse, violence, inadequate parenting and neglect. nature- Neurological and genetic factors may also play a part