Characteristics

• Episodic mood disorder


  A condition characterized by episodes of time where mood is either extremely low or high.
• Manic episode


  A period of at least a week where mood is extremely high.
• Mixed episode 


  A period of two weeks where there is a mixture of manic and depressive states.
• Depressive episode


  A period of at least two weeks, which involves depressed mood or lack of interest in usual activities for most of the day, nearly every day.
• Hypomanic episode


  A less extreme version of a manic episode, which involves several days of persistent elevated mood or increased irritability.
• Depressive disorder (unipolar)

  • depressive mood (feeling sad, irritable or empty) or loss of pleasure
  • difficulty concentrating, excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt, recurrent thoughts of death, or changes to eating or sleeping patterns
  • diagnosis can only be made if individual had never experienced a manic, mixed or hypomanic episode
  • single episode - the presence of one depressive episode without previous history
  • recurrent episode - at least two episode separated by several months or more without any significant mood disturbance
• Bipolar disorder - type 1

  • occurrence of at least one manic or mixed episode
  • rapid speech, recklessness, impulsivity or extremely high self esteem
  • alternate with depressive episodes over time
• Bipolar disorder - type 2

  • occurrence of at least one hypomanic episode
  • at least one depressive episode
  • will cause no marked impairment to functioning
  • no history of mixed or manic episodes
• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

  • 21 - item self - report measure
  • scale from 0 - 3
  • assesses symptoms and attitudes related to depressive disorder
  • e.g. "I do not feel sad" - "I am so sad and unhappy that I can't stand it"
  • 0 - 9 = minimal depression
  • 10 - 18 = mild depression
  • 19 - 29 = moderate depression
  • 30 - 63 = severe depression
• Young Mania Rating Scale

  • 15 - 30 minute interview
  • carried out by trained physician
  • 11 standardized questions
• Altman Self - Rating Mania Scale (ASRM)

  • 5 item scale
  • assesses mood, self confidence, sleep disturbance, speech and activity level
  • e.g. "I do not feel happier or more cheerful than usual" - "I feel happier or more cheerful than usual all the time"