Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World SEVENTH EDITION Jeffrey S. Nevid / Spencer A. Rathus / Beverly Greene Chapter 8 (Pp ) Mood Disorders and Suicide

TYPES OF MOOD ( AFFECTIVE ) DISORDERS Mood disorders - Psychological disorders characterized by disturbances in mood. The major forms of mood disorder: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders (mood swing disorders). There are two major types of depressive disorders that vary in severity: major depressive disorder, the more severe type, and dysthymic disorder (also called dysthymia), the milder type. Similarly, bipolar or mood swing disorders vary in terms of severity—the more severe disorder is called bipolar disorder, whereas the milder disorder is termed cyclothymic disorder (also called cyclothymia).

A Mood Thermometer Mood states can be conceptualized as varying along a spectrum or continuum. One end represents severe depression and the other end severe mania, which is a cardinal feature of bipolar disorder. Mild or moderate depression is often called “the blues” but is classified as “dysthymia” when it becomes chronic. In the middle of the spectrum is normal or balanced mood. Mild or moderate mania is called hypomania, which characterizes cyclothymic disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder Major depressive disorder (major depression) - A severe mood disorder which impairs people’s ability to meet the ordinary responsibility of everyday life. People with major depression may lose interest in most of their usual activities and pursuits, have difficulty concentrating and making decisions, have pressing thoughts of death, and attempt suicide. They even show impaired driving skills in driving simulation tests (Bulmash et al., 2006).

And Now … The Case of Everett

Lifetime prevalence rates for major depressive disorder (MDD) Major depressive episodes affect about twice as many women as men.

Risk Factors in Major Depression Factors that place people at increased risk of developing major depression include: Age (initial onset is most common among young adults) Socioeconomic status (people lower down the socioeconomic ladder are at greater risk than those who are better off) Marital status (people who are separated or divorced have higher rates than married or never-married people). Gender (women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with major depression)

Dysthymic Disorder Dysthymia derives from Greek roots dys-, meaning “bad” or “hard” and thymos, meaning “spirit.” Dysthymic disorder - A mild but chronic type of depressive disorder. Dysthymia affects about 4% of the general population at some point in their lifetimes (APA, 2000; Conway et al., 2006).

Lifetime prevalence rates for dysthymic disorder. Like major depression, dysthymic disorder occurs in about twice as many women as men.

Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder - A psychological disorder characterized by mood swings between states of extreme elation and depression. People with bipolar disorder ride an emotional roller coaster, swinging from the heights of elation to the depths of depression without external cause. Two Types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II

Manic and Hypomanic Episodes Manic episode - A period of unrealistically heightened euphoria, extreme restlessness, and excessive activity characterized by disorganized behavior and impaired judgment. During a manic episode, the person experiences a sudden elevation or expansion of mood and feels unusually cheerful, euphoric, or optimistic. The person seems to have boundless energy and is extremely sociable, although perhaps to the point of becoming overly demanding and overbearing toward others. Other people recognize the sudden shift in mood to be excessive in the light of the person’s circumstances. Hypomanic Episode – similar symptoms but is reduced in severity and does not include hallucinations and delusions.

Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar I and II Bipolar I A.Presence (or history) of at least one Manic Episode B.May be presence (or history) of Hypomania or Major Depression as well. This diagnosis conforms to the classic concept of manic depressive illness Bipolar II Disorder A. Presence (or history) of one or more Major Depressive Episodes B. Presence (or history) of at least one Hypomanic Episode C. There has never been a Manic Episode

Cyclothymic Disorder Cyclothymia is derived from the Greek kyklos, which means “circle,” and thymos, meaning “spirit.” Cyclothymic disorder - A mood disorder characterized by a chronic pattern of less-severe mood swings than are found in bipolar disorder. The periods of elevated mood are called hypomanic episodes (from the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning “under” or “less than”). They are less severe than manic episodes and are not accompanied by the severe social or occupational problems associated with full-blown manic episodes.

And Now… The Case of Ann