MOOD DISORDERS

• Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities
• The median age for the onset of depression is now 26 in the United States
• Mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, are characterized by significant disturbances in emotional states, including pronounced lows referred to as depression and elevated highs known as hypomania or mania
• Signs and Symptoms of Depression include cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms
• Common types of depression include Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Bipolar Affective Disorder (Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia), Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Postpartum Depression
• Types of Mood Disorders

  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Dysthymia
  • Bipolar Affective Disorder
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Postpartum Depression
• In 2019, there were 280 million individuals experiencing depression, among them 23 million were children and adolescents
• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), mood disorders are generally classified into bipolar disorders and depressive disorders
• As many as 26 percent of women may have an episode at some time in their lives, compared with 12 percent of men
• In the year 2019, 40 million individuals dealt with bipolar disorder
• Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder include symptoms like depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in weight, aches and pains, fatigue, and sleep disturbances
• The combined prevalence of depression was 19.4%
• Mood disorders contribute to an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality
• Around 19 percent of all adults experience an episode of severe unipolar depression at some point in their lives
• The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria for the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• The risk of experiencing depression has increased steadily since 1915
• Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder

  The occurrence of the major depressive episode is not better explained by another mental disorder
• First-degree relatives of individuals with depression have a higher risk of major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Higher concordance rate for major depressive disorder (MDD) in identical twins compared to fraternal twins
• Major life changes, social isolation, and substance abuse can trigger depressive episodes
• The connection between substance abuse and depression is bidirectional
• Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder

  The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition
• Disruptions in the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain are associated with depression
• Higher risk of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in women compared to men is linked to female-specific reproductive events and hormonal changes
• Genetic Predisposition
• Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder

  • Depressed mood most of the day
  • Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Psychomotor agitation or retardation
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
• Heritability of major depressive disorder (MDD) is estimated to be approximately 37%
• Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder

  There has never been a manic or hypomanic episode
• Diagnostic Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder


  The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
• Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse can increase the risk of developing depression later in life
• Personality traits such as negative thinking, perfectionism, or low
• Adoptees with a biological parent affected by depression are more likely to develop depression
• Children of parents with depression are more prone to develop depression
• Personality traits can increase vulnerability to depression (Kotov et al., 2010)
• Substance abuse and depression

  Heightens the risk of depression and depression elevates the risk of substance abuse
• Psychosocial Stressors

  • Ongoing interpersonal difficulties, conflicts, or relationship problems can contribute to the development of depression
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory of Depression

  • Negative thought patterns and distorted cognitive processes play a central role in the onset and perpetuation of depression
• Theory of Learned Helplessness


  • Individuals can develop a sense of helplessness and passivity when they perceive a lack of control over their circumstances
• Generalized helplessness can contribute to the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms
• Personality Traits


  • Certain personality traits, such as a tendency toward negative thinking, perfectionism, low self-esteem, neuroticism, and introversion, may increase vulnerability to depression