Mood Disorders Overview

A category of mental health disorders characterized by severe disruptions in mood, leading to persistent low mood (depression) or extreme mood swings (bipolar disorder). These disorders significantly impact a person's ability to function in daily life.

A mood disorder defined by persistent low mood, sadness, and loss of interest in most activities. It involves emotional, cognitive, and physical changes that interfere with daily functioning.

A mood disorder marked by extreme mood swings that include both depressive episodes and periods of mania or hypomania. Type 1 involves at least one manic episode, while Type 2 involves at least one hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

A period of at least one week where an individual experiences elevated mood, increased activity/energy, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, and risky behavior.

Similar to mania, but less severe. It does not cause significant impairment in functioning or necessitate hospitalization. Individuals may experience elevated mood, increased energy, and a heightened sense of well-being.

A method of assessing psychological characteristics like personality, emotional states, or experiences using structured questionnaires with numerical scales.

A widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of depression. It includes 21 multiple-choice items that correspond to specific depressive symptoms.

The individual's response to each item on the Beck Depression Inventory is scored from 0 (no symptom) to 3 (severe symptom). The total score reflects the individual's overall level of depression.

The total score on the Beck Depression Inventory indicates the severity of depression, with higher scores suggesting more severe symptoms.

The Beck Depression Inventory is a reliable and valid instrument that measures the severity of depression objectively.

The Beck Depression Inventory is a self-report instrument, meaning it relies on the individual's own account of their symptoms.

Low levels of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline have been linked to depression.

Serotonin plays a role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.

Dopamine is involved in reward, pleasure, and motivation.

First-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the disorder than the general population.

The 5-HTT gene, also known as the serotonin transporter gene, has been linked to mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.

A study that investigates the role of genetics in the development of bipolar disorder, specifically looking for genetic markers associated with the condition.

A type of genetic variation that occurs when a single nucleotide (building block of DNA) is altered.

A neurotransmitter, often associated with mood regulation, that is affected by differences between men and women.

A theory proposing that depression arises from negative thought patterns about oneself, the world, and the future.

A core element of Beck's theory, referring to negative perceptions about oneself, the world, and the future.

A vicious cycle where negative thoughts worsen depressive symptoms, leading to further negative thoughts.

The idea that our genes predetermine our behavior, suggesting little room for free will.

The belief that we have control over our choices and actions, despite genetic predispositions.

A cognitive distortion where an individual takes a single negative event and applies it broadly, believing that it will always repeat, such as "I failed once, so I will always fail."

A cognitive distortion where an individual expects the worst-case scenario to occur in every situation, even if the situation doesn't warrant such negative expectations.

A cognitive distortion where an individual blames themselves for negative events that are not entirely within their control. They take personal responsibility even when it's not appropriate.

A state of passive resignation where an individual believes they lack control over their circumstances, even when opportunities for change exist. It often stems from repeated or prolonged adversity.

A cognitive style that involves attributing negative events to internal, global, and stable factors.

Attributing negative events to one's personal characteristics or abilities, such as "I failed the exam because I'm not intelligent enough."

Viewing negative events as pervasive, affecting all aspects of life, such as "I failed this exam, so I'll fail everything else."

Believing that negative events will persist over time, such as "I failed this exam, I'll never succeed in school."

An explanation for negative events that are internal, global, and stable. For example, "It's all my fault", "Everything is terrible", "I always fail."

A form of therapy that helps individuals identify and challenge their negative thought patterns. It aims to replace irrational thoughts with more balanced thinking.

Increased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is achieved by inhibiting their reabsorption.

These medications prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase.

These antidepressants increase serotonin levels by blocking its reabsorption. This leads to increased serotonin in the brain.

It involves questioning negative thoughts and replacing them with more balanced ones. The goal is to identify dysfunctional thought patterns and challenge them.

This type of therapy focuses on understanding and changing the negative thought patterns that contribute to depression.

Attribution style refers to how people explain the causes of events. In this context, a more positive attribution style is linked to better recovery from depression.

A therapy that focuses on changing irrational beliefs and replacing them with rational thoughts to reduce depressive symptoms.

The idea that people are affected not by external events but by their perception of those events. This forms the foundation of REBT, emphasizing that our thoughts, not events themselves, shape our emotions.

A method of analyzing combined data from multiple studies on the same topic to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the trends and effectiveness of the treatment or intervention.

In REBT, it refers to the process of identifying and challenging irrational beliefs to replace them with more rational and constructive thoughts. This active engagement is crucial in changing negative thought patterns.

A model used in REBT to understand the connection between activating events (A), beliefs (B), and consequences (C). It highlights that our beliefs about events, rather than the events themselves, lead to emotional consequences.

A technique that aims to help individuals recognize and challenge their automatic negative thoughts, replacing them with more balanced and realistic perspectives. It is a cornerstone of cognitive therapy for depression.

These are thoughts that occur automatically and often negatively, without conscious effort. They can significantly influence mood and contribute to depressive symptoms.

In terms of medication, withdrawal refers to the negative physical or psychological effects experienced when stopping a drug. It's an important consideration when managing medication for depression.