Mood Disorders

Mo McMullan
Lee Cohen
Ryan Trosky
Jessica Wu

Etiology/History
At the moment psychologists are not fully sure of how mood disorders originate,
but it is thought that they come from genetics and other medical factors. Over the years
many mood disorders have come into play like depression, bipolar disorder, and
anxiety.
Bipolar disorder is mostly dependent on the combination of genetics and
environmental factors. It has been proven that genetics play a big role in the appearance
of bipolar, since it is 7 times more likely for a child to have bipolar if their parents have
bipolar.
The environmental factors of bipolar disorder seem to come from high stress levels
in someone's daily life which can trigger a biological reaction in the brain to cause
someone to act entirely different than they usually do.
Major depressive disorder is thought to be linked to chemical changes in the brain.
It tends to run in families, but can also occur in those with no family history of the
disease showing that it can be genetic or environmental.
Diagnostic
Based on DSM-IV criteria, to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder,
criteria includes depressed mood in life activities for at least 2 weeks and at
least 5 of the following symptoms:
1. Depressed mood most of the day
2. Diminished interest in most activities
3. Unintentional weight loss or gain
4. Insomnia or sleeping too much
5. Agitation or retardation noticed by others
6. Fatigue or loss of energy
7. Feeling worthlessness or guilt
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate
9. Recurrent thoughts of death

Diagnostic
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by more than one bipolar episode. During
the mood disturbance, 3 of the following symptoms would have to be present:
1. Increased self esteem or grandiosity
2. Decreased need for sleep
3. More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
4. Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
5. Distractibility
6. Psychomotor agitation
7. Involvement in pleasurable abilities that have high potential for painful
consequences
Case Vignette- Major Depressive
Disorder
Bio: Shanye Vest History: Dad died 4 years ago
Male He was
assaulted 2 years ago
23 years old Present: Lost his job
Behaviors: has not gotten out of bed for 3 days spare the kitchen and the
bathroom
thoughts of suicide
Symptoms: lethargy
feelings of worthlessness
loss of interest in family, friends, and activities
Bio: Ranye Zest History: Abused as a child
Male Isolated in
school
47 years old Present: Writers block
Behaviors: Wrote half of his adventure novel and now cant write anymore
Doesnt speak more than a few sentences and feels useless.
Behaviors 2 months before: Wrote half of his adventure novel in 2 months
Partied every night and
got in fights there easily
Symptoms: Dramatic mood swings
Excessive happiness
Susceptibility to rage
Periods of lethargy and depression

Case Vignette- Bipolar Disorder
Current Treatment (Major Depressive
Disorder)
The most common treatments for Major Depressive Disorder are medication and psychotherapy.
Antidepressants, the most common medication for Major Depressive Disorder, focus on our brains
neurotransmitters (primarily serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine). These neurotransmitters
are used to regulate our mood. The most common serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include Prozac,
Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Celexa. There are older versions of these medications; however, there side-effects
have been classified by the FDA as being increasingly risky. These older medications include tricyclics and
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). All antidepressants must be taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks before they
have a full effect. You should continue to take the medication, even if you are feeling better, to prevent the
depression from returning.
In regards to psychotherapy (talk therapy), there are two major types: cognitive-behavioral therapy
and interpersonal therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps many individuals diagnosed with major
depressive disorder by highlighting their behaviors and allowing them to realize their depressive actions and
behaviors. By doing so, people with this disorder are treated by restructuring peoples negative thoughts
through patterns. Interpersonal therapy helps people understand and work through troubled relationships
that may cause their depression.
Most doctors suggest psychotherapy for mild cases of major depressive disorders and a
combination of psychotherapy and medication for medium and severe cases.
Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Bipolar Disorder;
however there are a few treatments that may help in
stabilizing ones mood:
Medication (similar to Major Depressive Disorder)
Psychotherapy (similar to Major Depressive
Disorder)
Education the more you know about bipolar disorder,
the better able youll be to avoid problems and deal with
setbacks
Lifestyle management maintaining a regular sleep
schedule, avoiding alcohol and drugs, following a
consistent exercise program, minimizing stress, and
keeping your sunlight exposure stable year round
Support bipolar disorder support group gives you the
opportunity to share your experiences and learn from
others who know what youre going through, as well, of
course, of your friends and family




Important Facts about Major
Depressive Disorder/Bipolar Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15-44
Depression is experienced as anxiety 65 percent of the time
Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S.
population age 18 and older in a given year
Exercise is the easiest and least expensive cure for depression. Just walking 30 minutes a day will help you and
sometimes completely alleviate your symptoms
By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause
of "lost years of healthy life" worldwide
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32
Major depressive disorder is more prevalent in women than in men
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population age
18 and older in a given year
The median age of onset for bipolar disorders is 25 years
Although bipolar disorder is more common in older teenagers and young adults, it can affect children as young as 6

Silver Linings Playbook (bipolar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0jsNKFX63U
New Moon (depression)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4gEFZ0TJ8o
References
Managing depressive symptoms in substance abuse clients during early recovery.. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64063/
Mood disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/mood-disorders
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Depression. Retrieved from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Swartz, K. (2013, Sep 11). Causes of mood disorders. Retrieved from
http://www.healthcommunities.com/mood-disorders/causes-of-mood-disorders_jhmwp.shtml
Tartakovsky, M. (n.d.). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/bipolar-disorder-fact-sheet/0001561