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Psychological Disorders: Mood Disorders. Two Broad Categories of Mood Disorders. Depressive Disorders Bipolar Disorders. Depressive Disorders. (1) Major Depressive Disorder (major depression) The most common type of depressive disorder.
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Two Broad Categories of Mood Disorders • Depressive Disorders • Bipolar Disorders
Depressive Disorders • (1) Major Depressive Disorder (major depression) • The most common type of depressive disorder. • Characterized by periods of downcast mood, feelings of worthlessness, and loss of interest in pleasurable activities. • Is more common in women
Depressive Disorders Continued • (2) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) • A type of major depression that involves a recurring pattern of Winter depressions followed by elevations in mood in the Spring and Summer. • More common in extreme northern climates
Depressive Disorders Continued • (3) Dysthymic Disorder • A relatively mild but chronic form of depression • Can last for months or years • More common in women
Bipolar Disorders • Characterized by alternating moods that shift between euphoric feelings and depression. • There are two major types: • (1) Bipolar disorder • (2) Cyclothymic disorder
Bipolar Disorder • Formerly called manic depression • Involves mood swings that shift between elevated moods or “euphoria” “manic” episodes and depression. • People with this disorder experience normal moods also. • Examples of manic behavior: • Extreme restlessness argumentativeness • Excitability lavish spending • Talkativeness reckless driving • Taking on tasks beyond a person’s ability
Bipolar Continued • Mania eventually gives way to depression: • Feelings of hopelessness and despair • Suicidal feelings • About 1% of the adult population in the U.S. suffers from bipolar disorder.
Cyclothymic Disorder • A mood disorder characterized by milder mood swings than bipolar disorder. • It is about as common as bipolar disorder.
Causes of Mood Disorders There are several possible causes which may occur separately or together to cause mood disorders:
Biological Causes • Brain chemicals: Neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine may be too low in depressed people. • Genetic factors: There is a family connection • Faulty brain structure and function: Research is being done in this area to see if the structures responsible for emotions, etc. are different in depressed people.
Psychological Factors • Each approach to psychology has a theory of what causes depression. • Psychodynamic Theory (Freud) says depression is the result of anger turned inward against the self. • Learning Theory (Behaviorist) Depression is the result of changes in reinforcement levels. • Cognitive Theory: Says the way people interpret events, and distorted thinking can cause depression. • Learned Helplessness Theory: Says people become depressed when they feel powerless to control aspects of their lives