Imagine that you have just been notified by your bank that your checking account is overdrawn. Reflect a bit on the possible reasons for the notification, then write down (in your notes) in a sentence or two what you believe to be the single most important cause.

Mood Disorders Chapter 14, Lecture 5 “If someone offered you a pill that would make you permanently happy, you would be well advised to run fast and run far. Emotion is a compass that tells us what to do, and a compass that is perpetually stuck on NORTH is worthless.” - Daniel Gilbert

Mood Disorders Emotional extremes of mood disorders come in two principal forms. 1.Major depressive disorder 2.Bipolar disorder (a less extreme type of depressive state is known as dysthymic disorder)

Major Depressive Disorder Depression is the “common cold” of psychological disorders. In a year, 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women report depression worldwide (WHO, 2002). “Depression has been called the “common cold” of psychological disorders – an expression that effectively describes its pervasiveness but not its seriousness.” - David Myers

Major Depressive Disorder Major depressive disorder occurs when signs of depression last two weeks or more and are not caused by drugs or medical conditions. 1.Lethargy and fatigue 2.Feelings of worthlessness 3.Loss of interest in family & friends 4.Loss of interest in activities Signs include:

Bipolar Disorder Formerly called manic-depressive disorder. An alternation between depression and mania signals bipolar disorder. Multiple ideas Hyperactive Desire for action Euphoria Elation Manic Symptoms Slowness of thought Tired Inability to make decisions Withdrawn Gloomy Depressive Symptoms

Bipolar Disorder Many great writers, poets, and composers suffered from bipolar disorder. During their manic phase creativity surged, but not during their depressed phase. Whitman WoolfClemensHemingway

Explaining Mood Disorders Since depression is so prevalent worldwide, investigators want to develop a theory of depression that will suggest ways to treat it. Lewinsohn et al., (1985, 1998) note that a theory of depression should explain the following: 1.Behavioral and cognitive changes 2.Common causes of depression

Theory of Depression 3.Gender differences

Theory of Depression 4.Depressive episodes self-terminate. 5.Stressful events often precede depression. 6.Depression is increasing, especially in the teens. Post-partum depression Desiree Navarro/ Getty Images

Suicide The most severe form of behavioral response to depression is suicide. Each year some 1 million people commit suicide worldwide.

Biological Perspective Genetic Influences: Mood disorders run in families. The rate of depression is higher in identical (50%) than fraternal twins (20%). Linkage analysis and association studies link possible genes and dispositions for depression. Jerry Irwin Photography

The Depressed Brain PET scans show that brain energy consumption rises and falls with manic and depressive episodes. Courtesy of Lewis Baxter an Michael E. Phelps, UCLA School of Medicine Depression is associated with lowered levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Social-Cognitive Perspective The social-cognitive perspective suggests that depression arises partly from self-defeating beliefs and negative explanatory styles.

Negative Thoughts and Moods Explanatory style plays a major role in becoming depressed.

Imagine that you have just been notified by your bank that your checking account is overdrawn. Reflect a bit on the possible reasons for the notification, then write down (in your notes) in a sentence or two what you believe to be the single most important cause. Now, write an answer to the following: 1. Does the cause you describe reflect more about you or something more about other people or circumstances? Internal or External?

Imagine that you have just been notified by your bank that your checking account is overdrawn. Reflect a bit on the possible reasons for the notification, then write down (in your notes) in a sentence or two what you believe to be the single most important cause. Now, write an answer to the following: 2. Is the cause something that is permanent or temporary; that is, is the cause likely to be present in the future? Stable or Unstable?

Imagine that you have just been notified by your bank that your checking account is overdrawn. Reflect a bit on the possible reasons for the notification, then write down (in your notes) in a sentence or two what you believe to be the single most important cause. Now, write an answer to the following: 3. Is the cause something that influences other areas of your life or only your checking account balance? Global or Specific?

Examples of Causal Explanations for the Event “My Checking Account is Overdrawn” Explanation Style InternalExternal Stable Global “I’m incapable of doing anything right.” “All institutions chronically make mistakes.” Specific “I always have trouble figuring my balance.” “This bank has always used antiquated techniques.” Unstable Global “I’ve had the flu for a week, and I’ve let everything slide.” “Holiday shopping makes large demands.” Specific “The one time I didn’t enter a check is the one time there’s a problem.” “I’m surprised – my bank has never made an error before.”

Depression Cycle 1.Negative stressful events. 2.Pessimistic explanatory style. 3.Hopeless depressed state. 4.These hamper the way the individual thinks and acts, fueling personal rejection. p.621

Homework Read p “Seligman contends that depression is common among young Westerners because the rise of individualism and the decline of commitment to religion and family have forced young people to take personal responsibility for failure or rejection.” - David Myers