Depressive Disorders

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Major Depression

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder

Depressive Disorder due to Another Medical Condition

Other Specified Depressive Disorder

Unspecified Depressive Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a relatively minor mood disturbance that affects people usually during the winter months (blues).

(Major) Depression Disorders - persistent feelings of sadness and despair, often losing interest in previously enjoyed activities.

Alterations in sleep & eating patterns, low energy slow speech, low self esteem, feeling worthless.

May feel anxiety or irritable. Falls into feelings of hopelessness, dejection, massive guilt, worry, social withdrawal.

Must persist for extended period of time for diagnosis, also find women tend to be more prone to suffer than men.

Dysthymic Disorder - mild chronic depression that doesn't produce deep despair seen in major depression.

Etiology of Mood Disorders

Genetic Vulnerability is seen in twin studies where MZ=67% DZ=15% concordance. This is stronger for bi-polar and for women.

Neurochemical factors: Norepinepherine long suspected but Serotonin also invovled

Cognitive factors Beck's cognitive theory indicated that learned helplessness or hopelessness play roles.

A cycle of pessimistic explanatory style and negative thinking with reactions and interpretations learning to think "its bad".... more common among women

Interpersonal Influences included shyness, poor social support & skills - don't get positive reinforcement, may also then lead to negative social responses frome others.

Precipitating Stress is the "push" over vulnerability, such as major crisis or loss (Hurricane Katrina - death of family member), althetic failure...

Cultural Variations in Depression