Mood Disorders

Muhammad Hashim
• What is a mood disorder?
• A mood disorder is a mental health problem that primarily affects a
person’s emotional state. It is a disorder in which a person experiences
long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or both.
• It is normal for someone’s mood to change, depending on the situation.
However, to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, symptoms must be
present for several weeks or longer. Mood disorders can cause changes
in your behavior and can affect your ability to deal with routine
activities, such as work or school.
• Two of the most common mood disorders are
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder.
Depression (major or clinical depression).

•  Depression is a common mental disorder. Grief

or sadness is a typical response to a traumatic
life event or crisis, such as the death of a spouse
or family member, loss of a job, or a major
illness.
• Classified in to two types When symptoms
continue to be present
• Clinical
• Major depression
 Type of depression
• Postpartum depression (peripartum depression) -
This type of depression occurs during pregnancy or
after delivery
• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) - This is a
chronic form of depression that can last for at least
two years. Symptoms may occasionally lessen in
severity during this time.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - This is another
type of depression that occurs during certain seasons
of the year.
 Type of depression cont..
• Psychotic depression - This is a type of severe
depression combined with psychotic episodes,
such as The episodes may be upsetting or
disturbing and often have a theme.
• Depression related to a medical condition,
medication, or substance abuse
Bipolar disorder (manic-depressiv
e disorder).
•  Bipolar disorder is defined by swings in mood
from periods of depression to mania. When
someone experiences a low mood, symptoms
may resemble those of a clinical depression.
Depressive episodes alternate with manic
episodes or mania. During a manic episode, a
person may feel elated or can also feel irritable
or have increased levels of activity.
• There are four basic types of bipolar disorder.
 Types of bipolar disorder
• Bipolar I - This is the most severe form. Manic episodes last at
least seven days or may be severe enough to require
hospitalization. Depressive episodes will also occur, often
lasting for at least two weeks. Sometimes symptoms of both
mania and depression are present at the same time.
• Bipolar II disorder - This disorder causes cycles of depression
similar to those of bipolar I. A person with this illness also
experiences hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania.
Hypomanic periods are not as intense or disruptive as manic
episodes. Someone with bipolar II disorder is usually able to
handle daily responsibilities and does not require
hospitalization.
 Cyclothymia disorder (cyclothymia)
• This type of bipolar disorder has sometimes been
defined as a milder form of bipolar disorder. People with
cyclothymia experience continuous irregular mood
swings – from mild to moderate emotional “highs” to
mild to moderate “lows” – for extended periods of time.
In addition, changes in mood can occur quickly and at
any time. There are only short periods of normal mood.
For an adult to be diagnosed with cyclothymic,
symptoms have to be experienced for at least 2 years.
For children and adolescents, the, symptoms must
persist for at least one year.
• “Other” or “unspecified” bipolar disorder
- Symptoms of this type of bipolar disorder do
not meet the criteria for one of the other
types but people still have significant,
abnormal changes in mood.
 Other mood disorders

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder - This type of mood disorder

occurs seven to 10 days before menstruation and goes away
within a few days of the start of the menstrual period.
Researchers believe this disorder is brought about by the
hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms
may include anger, irritability, tension, decreased interest in
usual activities, and sleep problems.
• Intermittent explosive disorder - This is a lesser-known mood
disorder marked by episodes of unwarranted anger. It is
commonly referred to as “flying into a rage for no reason.” In an
individual with intermittent explosive disorder, the behavioral
outbursts are out of proportion to the situation.
 What causes mood disorders?

• There may be several underlying factors, depending on the type

of the disorder. Various genetic, biological, environmental, and
other factors have been associated with mood disorders.
• Risk factors include:
• Family history
• Previous diagnosis of a mood disorder
• Trauma, stress or major life changes in the case of depression
• Physical illness or use of certain medications. Depression has
been linked to major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, 
Parkinson’s disease and heart disease.
• Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder
 What are the symptoms of common mood disorders?

• Symptoms depend on the type of mood disorder that is present.

• Symptoms of major depression may include:
• Feeling sad most of the time or nearly every day
• Lack of energy or feeling sluggish
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Gaining weight or losing weight
• Loss of interest in activities that formerly brought enjoyment
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Frequent thoughts about death or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
 Symptoms conti…
Symptoms of bipolar disorder may include both depression and
mania. Symptoms of hypomanic or manic episodes include:
• Feeling extremely energized or elated
• Rapid speech or movement
• Agitation, restlessness, or irritability
• Risk-taking behavior, such as spending too much money or driving
recklessly
• Unusual increase in activity or trying to do too many things at once
• Racing thoughts
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Feeling jumpy or on edge for no apparent reason
 Medications to treat depression and/or
bipolar disorders
• Antidepressants 
• Mood stabilizers
• Antipsychotics 
• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
 Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Patients with depression and other mood disorders may benefit

from various types of psychotherapy or counseling sessions.
Types of therapy include:
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Problem-solving therapy
• Brain stimulation therapies
• Brain stimulation therapies are thought to work by causing
changes in the chemicals in the brain that are known to be
associated with symptoms of depression and bipolar disorders.
There are several types of brain stimulation therapies including:
 Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 
• ECT has long been used to treat severe depression or
bipolar disorder in cases when medication or
psychotherapy have been unsuccessful. Before having
ECT, a patient is placed under general anesthesia and is
given a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are placed in certain
locations on the scalp or forehead. An electric current is
passed through the brain to induce a seizure. The patient
awakens after five to 10 minutes. The ECT sessions can be
performed on an outpatient basis. Usually, two or three
sessions per week are required, over a period of two
weeks or more. Generally, six to 12 sessions are required.
 Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation
• (rTMS) - This noninvasive procedure uses a
magnetic coil to apply short electromagnetic
pulses to specific nerve cells in the brain. The
magnet is positioned against the forehead,
while pulses are sent through the skull. The
procedure is used to treat major depression
for patients who do not respond to at least
one antidepressant drug.
 Treatments for seasonal depression

• Antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs and bupropion,

and psychotherapy are used to treat seasonal affective
disorder. In addition, patients may benefit from light
therapy and vitamin D supplements.
• Light therapy - This technique has long been used to treat
SAD. It is based on the idea of supplementing natural
sunlight with bright artificial light during the fall and winter.
Patients may use a light box that provides cool-white
fluorescent light. Each morning, the person is exposed to
the artificial light for about 20 to 60 minutes. The light is
about 20 times more intense than regular indoor lighting.
THANKS