1. Mood Disorders and Suicide
Abnormal Psychology Chapter 7

2. Mood Disorders
Understanding depression as opposed to the experience of sadness
Intensity and duration
Effects on functioning

3. Mood Disorders Unipolar Mood Disorders: Bipolar Disorder
Major Depression
Dysthymia
Mania
Bipolar Disorder

4. Major Depression Cognitive symptoms
Physical symptoms- psychomotor retardation; sleep changes, appetite changes
Loss of interest/inability to experience pleasure

5. Mania Elation, euphoria, hyperactivity, agitation Grandiosity
Rapid speech, incoherence: “flight of ideas”
Risky behavior
Hypomanic episode- less severe/risky than mania

6. Major Depression Initial diagnosis- single episode
Rare; typically recurs- 85% later experience a second episode
Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent
Median- four episodes over the lifespan
Each episode- average of 4-5 months

7. Dysthymic Disorder Depressive symptoms more mild than Major Depression
2 years or longer, without being symptom free for longer than 2 months

8. “Double Depression”
Major Depressive episodes occurring with Dysthymic Disorder
High rate of relapse/recurrence

9. Onset of Major Depression
Increased risk during adolescence
Trend: Depression is occurring at earlier ages, worldwide

10. Understanding Grief
Following the loss of a loved one, symptoms of depression are common
Concerning symptoms:
Prolonged depression
Psychotic features
Suicidal ideation

11. Bipolar Disorder
Manic episodes alternate with Major Depressive episodes
Bipolar I: entails full manic episodes
Bipolar II: entails hypomanic episodes (less severe)

12. Bipolar Disorder Average age of onset for Bipolar I- 18 years
Average age of onset for Bipolar II: 19-22
Can begin in childhood
Relatively rare to develop after 40

13. Specifiers: Additional Defining Criteria
Catatonic features
Psychotic features
Postpartum onset
Seasonal patterns: (SAD)
Rapid cycling (noted in 20-40% cases of bipolar disorder)

14. Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Manic states may be classified by more irritability/agitation vs. adults
Children, particularly boys: depression may be accompanied by aggression and conduct problems

15. Major Depression in Elderly Populations
Increase in physical problems accompanied by a reduction in social support
Suicide rates are highest in elderly groups

16. Mood Disorders: Causes
Biological: twin/family studies- strongly heritable
Neurotransmitters: lower levels of serotonin, other neurotransmitters vary more widely as a result
Psychological: diathesis-stress model; trauma
Social: marital relationships, work difficulties, social support

17. Learned Helplessness Depressive Attribution Style
Internal: attributes negative events to personal shortcomings
Stable: other bad things will still be my fault
Global: negativity across a range of issues

18. Mood Disorders: Treatment
Antidepressants: Tricyclic, MAO inhibitors,Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors
Research: anti-depressants and suicide
Lithium: treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Toxicity
50% of individuals with Bipolar Disorder respond well

19. ECT Electroconvulsive Therapy
Controversial approach- used much less frequently

20. Psychological Treatment
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Combined Approaches
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder:
Regulation of sleep cycles and daily routines, nutritional regimens
Treating the family:
Family involvement lessens the relapse rate