Mood Disorders

MOOD DISORDERS

Mood Disorders can be divided into three parts: Mood Episodes (Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episodes, Mixed Episode, and Hypo manic Episode), Mood Disorders (e.g. Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder) and the third part includes specifies that describe either the most recent episode or the course of most recent episodes.

Mood Episodes

Major Depressive Episode symptoms include five or more of the following criteria and last longer than a two week period: Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day; diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities; significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite; insomnia or hypersomnia; inability to sit still, pacing, pulling or rubbing of the skin, slowed speech thinking and body movements; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt; diminished ability to think or concentrate; and recurrent thoughts of death, including thoughts of suicide without a specific plan or attempt and a specific plan for committing suicide. These symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning and are not due to the effects of substance abuse.

Manic Episodes

A Manic Episode is defined by a specific period of time where there is an abnormal and persistent elevation in irritable mood and lack of restraint in expressing ones feelings lasting at least one week. During the period of mood disturbance, three or more of the following symptoms have to be present to a significant degree: Inflated self-esteem; decreased need for sleep; more talkative than usual or feel pressure to keep talking; thoughts may race; easily distracted; increase in goal-oriented activity; and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that may have a high potential for painful consequences. These mood disturbances are severe enough to impair functioning in ones usual social activities or relationships with others and are not caused by the effects of substance abuse.

Mixed Episode

A Mixed Episode is a period of time (lasting 1 week) where both Major Depressive Episode and Manic Episode symptoms are present.

Hypomanic Episode

A Hypomanic Episode is a distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that lasts at least 4 days that is clearly different from the usual non depressed state. Inflated self-esteem; decreased need for sleep; more talkative than usual or feel pressure to keep talking; thoughts may race; easily distracted; increase in goal-oriented activity; and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that may have a high potential for painful consequences are all symptoms of Hypomanic Episodes. These Episodes , which are clearly observed by others, are a definite change in ones behavior and is uncharacteristic of the person when there are no symptoms present, though, they are not severe enough to cause social impairment and functionality.

Major Depressive Disroder

Major Depressive Disorder can be characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes (See above) without a history of Manic, Mixed or Hypomanic Episodes. If Manic. Hypomanic, or Mixed Episodes develop then the diagnosis is changed to a Bipolar Disorder unless the symptoms of the Episodes are brought on by medications or substance use.

Dysthymic Disorder

Individuals with Dysthymic Disorder describe their mood as sad or ‘down in the dumps” and experience this feeling more days than not for at least 2 years. They also show additional symptoms including: poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersonic, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions and feelings of hopelessness.

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder is when Major Depressive Episodes are accompanied by one or more Manic or Mixed Episodes. Polarity is the shift from Major Depressive Episodes to either Manic or Mixed Episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder is when Major Depressive Episodes are accompanied by Hypomanic Episodes. Individuals with Bipolar II Disorder often don’t see their Hypomanic Episodes as pathological, and often remember such Episodes without reminders by others about their erratic behavior

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by hypomanic symptoms that are on and off for at least 2 years and do not meet the criteria for a Manic Episode as well as depressive symptoms without meeting the criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder symptoms often resemble those of Manic, Mixed or Hypomanic Episodes but it is the disturbance in mood brought on by the psychological effects of an outside substance (I.e. drugs, alcohol, medications or toxin exposure). The disturbance may involve depressed mood , lack of interest or pleasure or elevated, expansive or irritable mood depending on the nature of the substance and weather or not it is during intoxication or withdrawal.