Mood Disorders Clinical characteristics Biological perspective –Genetic –Neurochemical Psychological perspective –Cognitive

Depression Psychological symptoms: –Persistent low mood –Diminished pleasure in normal activities –Feelings of guilt or worthlessness –Suicidal ideation Physical symptoms: –Fatigue/loss of energy –Changes in weight/appetite –Insomnia or hypersomnia

Mania Psychological symptoms –Inflated self-esteem/grandiosity –Flight or ideas/racing thoughts –Extreme distractibility –Increased goal-directed behaviour –High risk hedonistic behaviour Physical symptoms –Psychomotor agitation –Decreased need for sleep

Mood Disorder Types Unipolar (depression) –Major depressive disorder (Endogenous or reactive) –Disthymic disorder –Psychotic depression Bipolar (alternating depression and mania) –Major bipolar disorder –Cyclothymia

Prevalence Unipolar –Lifetime prevalence of 5-9% in population –About 2x more likely in women –Increased rates in adolescence, old age Bipolar –Lifetime prevalence of about 1% in population (possible underestimate) –MBD more slightly common in men, cyclothymia slightly more common in women NIMH data for US population