1. Mood Disorders Clinical characteristics Biological perspective –Genetic –Neurochemical Psychological perspective –Cognitive www.psychlotron.org.uk

2. 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk

3. 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk

4. Mood Disorder Types Unipolar (depression) –Major depressive disorder (Endogenous or reactive) –Disthymic disorder –Psychotic depression Bipolar (alternating depression and mania) –Major bipolar disorder –Cyclothymia www.psychlotron.org.uk

5. 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk NIMH data for US population