1. MOOD DISORDERS Everyone experiences occasional strong unpleasant emotional reactions Emotions is one way we are able to interpret and adapt to our world However when these emotions careen out of control and become extreme is when one might have a mood disorder

2. Mood Disorders Also known as Affective Disorders Mood Disorders can also be diagnosed by a clinician when the emotional responses are consistently inappropriate for the situation.

3. Dysthemic Disorder “Common Cold” of mental health “Low Spirits” 4%-12% of people are affected most likely to clear up w/o treatment Loss of energy / interest / sense of humor for short period of time

4. Seasonal Affective Disorder Also known as SAD It is a special form of depression Related to sunlight depravation (nurture) Appears most often in the long, dark winter months. It is related to the amount of the light- sensitive hormone melatonin in the body that regulates the body’s biological clock

5. Major Depression Slow Speech Loss of Appetite Lack of Energy Extreme feelings of worthlessness Frequent thoughts of death In sever cases can lead to psychotic distortions of reality (looks like schizophrenia)

6. Statistics for Major Depression Accounts for a majority of all mental health cases Is still believed to be underdiagnosed and under treated Wall Street Journal reported that it costs Americans $43 billion a year (treatment / care / lost productivity) 10-20 times more common today than 50 years ago It is the single most common disability around the globe

7. Who Becomes Depressed Higher for women than men 50 Years ago most cases were middle aged women Today it is more often a teenage problem

8. Why A Teenage Problem Research has come up with a possible explanation that explains why there is an increase in cases and that those cases are younger in age Out of control individualism & self-centeredness (focus on individual) The Self-Esteem Movement (never have to face failure) Culture of victimology – People look to blame someone or something when things go wrong

9. Depression & Suicide Suicide claims 1 in 50 depression sufferers A person is more at risk when either on the way down or is recovering When in the depths of depression they usually do not have the energy or will to do anything much less a suicide attempt Any suicide threat should always be taken seriously

10. Causes for Depression Nature A person an have a genetic predisposition Often runs in the family Levels of chemicals in the body influence depression Serotonin Dopamine Norepinephrine Depression is also related lower brain wave activity in the left frontal lobe Viral infections in the brain have caused depression

11. Causes Biology can not explain Depression alone It is the result of not only biological factors but also cognitive, social and behavioral factors as well

12. The Depression Cycle Stage 1: Negative Event(s) Fred decides to be more sociable, but when he asks Teresa for a date, she says she has other plans Stage 2: Low Self Esteem & Negative Interpretations Fred concludes that he is not very interesting or attractive and that people don’t like him

13. The Depression Cycle (cont.) Stage 3: DEPRESSION Fred feels completely alone & unhappy Stage 4: Negative Behaviors Fred avoids people, skips school and neglects personal hygiene (no energy or motivation to take care of these aspects of his life)

14. The Depression Cycle (cont. part II) Stage 5: Social Rejection & Loneliness Due to Fred’s negative behaviors, people begin to avoid him – this reinforces his depression Back to Stage 1: Negative Events Fred decides to be more sociable, but when he asks Gina for a date, she says she has other plans

15. Cognitive-Behavioral Approach The belief is that negative thinking can lead to depression A person’s negative thinking is a learned response that is reinforced over time Since it is a learned response it can be modified and changed Cognitive-Behavioral therapy has proven effective when treating someone with depression (it however is not a cure all)

16. Mania Exaggerated Elation / Euphoric Rapid Speech Restlessness / Hyperactive Unable to Concentrate Agitation Emotionally wound tight Willing to take unnecessary risks with lives or resources

17. Bi-Polar Disorder Formerly known as Manic-depressive Disorder A person who swings from the “highs” of mania to the “lows” of major depression After a Manic episode they fall into a depressive state and often have to deal with consequences of their behavior while manic Affects about 1% of the world’s population