Mood Affective Disorders

Study Notes

Mood (affective) disorders are psychological conditions characterized by significant disturbances in emotional regulation and mood stability, affecting thoughts, behaviors, and physical wellbeing. Unipolar disorders involve persistent low mood, while bipolar disorders involve alternating episodes of depression and mania.

• Depressive Disorder (Unipolar) — persistent sadness, feelings of worthlessness, and fatigue lasting at least two weeks.
  Example: A person feels sad and tired nearly every day for over two weeks.
• Bipolar Disorder — involves episodes of mania and depression, with mood swings between high energy and low mood.
  Example: A person experiences a week of high energy and impulsive behavior followed by two weeks of depression.
• Manic Episode — elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior lasting at least one week.
  Example: A person feels euphoric, talks rapidly, and sleeps very little for a week.
• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) — a self-report questionnaire assessing the severity of depressive symptoms.
  Example: A person scores 25 on the BDI, indicating moderate depression.
• Monoamine Hypothesis — suggests depression arises from reduced availability of monoamine neurotransmitters.
  Example: Low serotonin levels are linked to depressed mood and sleep disturbances.

Exam Tips

Key Definitions to Remember

• Mood (affective) disorders
• Depressive Disorder (Unipolar)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Manic Episode
• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Common Confusions

• Confusing unipolar depression with bipolar disorder
• Misunderstanding the difference between mania and hypomania

Typical Exam Questions

• What is a mood (affective) disorder?
  Psychological conditions with disturbances in emotional regulation.
• How does bipolar disorder differ from unipolar depression?
  Bipolar disorder includes episodes of mania, unlike unipolar depression.
• What is the purpose of the Beck Depression Inventory?
  To assess the severity of depressive symptoms.

What Examiners Usually Test

• Differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders
• Symptoms and criteria for diagnosing mood disorders
• Understanding of the biochemical explanations of depression