1. Unit 12/13: Mental Illness and Therapies
CHS AP Psychology
Unit 12/13: Mental Illness and Therapies
Essential Task 12/13.2:Discuss the major diagnostic category of mood disorders with specific attention to the diagnoses of major depressive disorder, dysthymia, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, detail the defining symptoms of each and identify the best approach(es) for explaining the cause(es) of each.

2. Our emotions tell us how we are doing in life!
Mood Disorders
Our emotions tell us how we are doing in life!
Depressive Disorders cause an individual to suffer from depression—an unrelenting lack of pleasure in life.
Major Depressive Disorder
Prolonged hopelessness and lethargy
Bipolar disorder
Alternating between depression and mania, a hyperactive state
Preview Question 9: What are mood disorders, and what forms do they take?

3. Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is the “common cold” of psychological disorders. 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression in any given year (WHO, 2012).
Major depressive disorder occurs when signs of depression last two weeks or more and are not caused by drugs or medical conditions.
Signs include:
Lethargy and fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Loss of interest in family & friends
Loss of interest in activities
Sleeping too little or too much
Eating too little or too much

4. Major Depressive Disorder: Types
Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Post-partum onset

5. Explaining Depression
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, 1995) note that a theory of depression should explain the following:
OBJECTIVE 13| Discuss the facts that an acceptable theory of depression must explain.
Behavioral and cognitive changes
Common causes of depression

6. Theory of Depression
Gender differences

7. Theory of Depression Depressive episodes self-terminate.
Depression is increasing, especially in the teens.
Desiree Navarro/ Getty Images
Post-partum depression

8. Biological Perspective of Depression
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.
OBJECTIVE 14| Summarize the contribution of the biological perspective to the study of depression, and discuss the link between suicide and depression.
Jerry Irwin Photography

9. Neurotransmitters & Depression
A reduction of norepinephrine and serotonin has been found in depression.
Pre-synaptic
Neuron
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Post-synaptic
Neuron

10. Negative Thoughts and Moods
Remember: someone’s “explanatory style” can play a major role in becoming depressed

11. Depression Cycle Negative stressful events.
Pessimistic explanatory style (how you explain to yourself what has happened)
Hopeless depressed state.
These hamper the way the individual thinks and acts, fueling personal rejection.

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

13. Manic Episode
Distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week
During the mood disturbance, 3 or more of the following symptoms have persisted (4 or more if the mood is only irritable)
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual, or pressure to keep talking
Racing thoughts (“flight of ideas”)
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have the potential for negative consequences

14. Manic Episode C. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode
D. The symptoms cause significant impairment in functioning or necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others
E. Not due to a GMC or substance

15. Mixed Episode
A. The criteria are met for both a Manic Episode and a Major Depressive Episode (except duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period
B. The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in functioning
C. Not due to a GMC or substance

16. Hypomanic Episode
Distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 4 days
During the mood disturbance, 3 (or more) of the following symptoms have been present (4 or more if mood is only irritable)
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual, or pressure to keep talking
Racing thoughts (“flight of ideas”)
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have the potential for negative consequences

17. Hypomanic Episode
C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic
D. The mood disturbance and change in functioning are observable to others
E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked distress or impairment in functioning and does not require hospitalization
F. Not due to a GMC or substance

18. Mood Episodes
Mixed Episode
Mania
Hypomania
Normal Mood
Depression

19. The Bipolar 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

20. Catherine Zeta-Jones: Actress
Bipolar Disorder
Many great writers, poets, and composers suffered from bipolar disorder. During their manic phase creativity surged, but not during their depressed phase.
Catherine Zeta-Jones: Actress
Tim Burton:
Film Maker
Virginia Woolf:
Writer

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

22. Suicide Risk Factors: Best predictor = Prior attempt
Living alone, especially if divorced/separated
Retired/unemployed
Elderly
Loss of a loved one
Chronic illness
Financial troubles
Feelings of hopelessness
Impulsivity
Sexual identity difficulties

23. Suicide Who attempts? Who completes?
Women: 3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide
Men: 3-4 times more likely to complete suicide
Ages 18-24: Peak age for attempting suicide
Ages 65+: Peak age for completing suicide

24. Suicide Common Warning Signs Symptoms of depression
Talking about death, disappearing, “ending it all”, etc., even just in passing
Writing letters, saying last goodbyes
Getting rid of personal effects, making a will
Arranging for the care of pets, plants, etc.
Extravagant spending

25. Suicide
Prevention
Help the person regain ability to cope with immediate stressors
Maintaining supportive contact with the person
Help the person realize that their distress is impairing their judgment
Help the person realize that the distress is not endless
Broad based programs focused on high-risk groups
Crisis hotlines
Call 911/ER