2. Definition :
Affective disorders are a set of psychiatric disorders, also
called mood disorders.
The main types of affective disorders are depression and
bipolar disorder. Symptoms vary by individual and can range from mild
to severe.
A psychiatrist or other trained mental health professional can
diagnose an affective disorder. This is done with a psychiatric
evaluation.
Affective disorders can be disruptive to your life. However,
there are effective treatments available, including both medication and
psychotherapy.
4. Depression :
Depression is a medical term that describes ongoing feelings of
extreme sadness and hopelessness.
It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety
of emotional and physical problems .
The most common types of depression include:
■ Major depressive disorder (MDD).
It is also called clinical depression . MDD includes long-term and
persistent episodes of low mood, hopelessness, fatigue, and other
symptoms.
■ Persistent depressive disorder.
Also called dysthymia, this type of depression is characterized
by less severe depression symptoms occurring for at least 2 yrs
5. OTHER TYPES :
■ Major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns.
Commonly known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD),
This subtype of depression most often occurs during the
winter months when there’s less daylight.
■ Perinatal depression
Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect women
during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Perinatal depression includes i) prenatal depression
ii) postpartum depression
Depression that begins during pregnancy called prenatal
depression
Depression that begins after the baby is born called
postpartum depression.
6. Bipolar depression :
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where a person
experiences extreme shifts in mood.
These mood changes may include episode of depression along
with periods of mania Or hypomania
There are different types of bipolar disorder. They include:
i) Bipolar I
ii) Bipolar II
iii) Cyclothymia
■ Bipolar I.
Bipolar I is defined by episodes of mania that last for atleast 7
days .
Depression may not occur in bipolar I.
7. ■ Bipolar II.
■ This type includes episodes of depression lasting at least 2
weeks along with milder mania, called hypomania.
■ Cyclothymia
This mild form of bipolar disorder still includes periods of
depression and hypomania, but with no clear timeline for each episode.
Also called cyclothymic disorder
8. SYMPTOMS :
prolonged sadness
irritability or anxiety
lack of energy
lack of interest in normal activities
major changes in eating and sleeping habits
difficulty concentrating
feelings of guilt
aches and pains that have no physical explanation
suicidal thoughts
9. CAUSES :
Neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, play a major role in
affecting mood. When they’re imbalanced in some way, or don’t signal
properly to your brain, an affective disorder can be the result.
Life events can trigger affective disorders. A traumatic event
or personal loss can cause depression or another affective disorder. Use
of alcohol and drugs is also a risk factor.
There also seems to be a genetic factor. If someone in your
family has one of these disorders, you’re at a greater risk of developing
one as well. This means that they’re hereditary.
13. Medications :
Mood stabilizers
First choice of drug to treat bipolar disorder.
Mood stabilizers are medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, where a person’s
mood changes from a depressed feeling to a high “manic” feeling or vice versa. These drugs can
help reduce mood swings and prevent manic and depressive episodes.
Eg – Lamotrigine, Lithium.
Atypical antipsychotics
In people with bipolar disorder, antipsychotics are also used as sedatives, for insomnia, anxiety,
and/or agitation. Often, they are taken with a mood-stabilizing drug and can decrease symptoms of
mania until mood stabilizers take full effect.
Selective serotonin inhibitors
SSRIs treat depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one
of the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that carry signals between brain nerve
cells (neurons).
14. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) :
Help to relieve depression symptoms, such as irritability and sadness, but some
are also used for anxiety disorders and nerve pain.
Tricyclic antidepressant :
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
