Mood disorder

Full Answer Section

Suicide

• Definition: Suicide is the intentional act of taking one's own life. It is a complex and serious public health issue with multifaceted causes.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Complex etiology: Suicide is often a result of multiple factors, including mental health conditions, substance abuse, social isolation, and stressful life events.
  • Risk factors: Identifying and addressing risk factors is crucial in suicide prevention efforts.
  • Tragic consequences: Suicide has devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

3. Anxiety Disorders

• Definition: Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent fear, worry, and anxiety. These feelings can interfere with daily life and cause significant distress.  
• Key Characteristics:
  • Excessive and persistent worry: This worry is often disproportionate to the actual threat and can be difficult to control.
  • Physical symptoms: Anxiety can manifest physically through symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing.
  • Diverse subtypes: Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  

4. Depressive Disorders

• Definition: Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent sadness, low mood, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Persistent sadness: This can range from mild to severe and can significantly impact daily functioning.
  • Loss of interest: Individuals may experience a loss of interest or pleasure in activities they previously enjoyed.
  • Other symptoms: Other common symptoms include fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

5. Bipolar Disorder

• Definition: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience alternating periods of mania (elevated mood) and depression.  
• Key Characteristics:
  • Manic episodes: During manic episodes, individuals may experience euphoria, increased energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior.
  • Depressive episodes: Depressive episodes involve persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest.
  • Varied presentations: Bipolar disorder can manifest in different ways, with varying degrees of severity and frequency of episodes.

6. Biological Theory

• Definition: Biological theories of mental illness emphasize the role of biological factors, such as genetics, neurotransmitters, and brain structure, in the development and manifestation of mental disorders.
• Key Concepts:
  • Genetics: Family and twin studies have shown that certain mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, have a genetic component.
  • Neurotransmitters: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are implicated in various mental health conditions.
  • Brain structure and function: Abnormalities in brain structure and function, such as reduced brain volume or altered neural pathways, may contribute to the development of mental disorders.

7. Supernatural Theory

• Definition: Supernatural theories attribute mental illness to supernatural forces, such as possession by demons, curses, or divine punishment.
• Historical Context: These theories were prevalent in earlier times and often led to stigmatization and mistreatment of individuals with mental illness.
• Current Relevance: While largely discredited in modern medicine, some cultural beliefs may still incorporate supernatural explanations for mental illness.

8. Psychological Theory

• Definition: Psychological theories focus on psychological factors, such as thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors, as contributing factors to the development and maintenance of mental illness.
• Key Concepts:
  • Psychodynamic theory: This perspective emphasizes unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences as contributing factors to mental illness.
  • Cognitive-behavioral theory: This approach focuses on the role of thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors in maintaining mental health problems.
  • Humanistic theory: This perspective emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and the role of personal growth in mental well-being.

9. Sociocultural Theory

• Definition: Sociocultural theories emphasize the role of social and cultural factors, such as poverty, discrimination, trauma, and social isolation, in the development and manifestation of mental illness.
• Key Concepts:
  • Social inequality: Poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion can increase the risk of mental health problems.
  • Trauma: Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, violence, and natural disasters, can have a significant impact on mental health.
  • Cultural factors: Cultural beliefs and attitudes towards mental illness can influence help-seeking behavior and treatment outcomes.

10. DSM-5-TR

• Definition: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is a widely used classification system for mental disorders.
• Purpose: It provides a standardized set of criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions, which aids in communication and treatment planning among mental health professionals.
• Key Features:
  • Diagnostic criteria: The DSM-5-TR provides specific diagnostic criteria for each mental disorder, including symptoms, duration, and severity.
  • Categorical approach: It uses a categorical approach to diagnosis, meaning individuals either meet the criteria for a disorder or they do not.

11. Obsessive-compulsive Disorders

• Definition: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
• Key Characteristics:
  • Obsessions: These are persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress.
  • Compulsions: These are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals feel driven to perform in response to obsessions.
  • Impact on daily life: OCD can significantly interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life.

12. Personality Disorders

• Definition: Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate significantly from cultural norms.  
• Key Characteristics:
  • Enduring patterns: These patterns are inflexible and pervasive across various situations.
  • Impaired functioning: Personality disorders can significantly impair social, occupational, and interpersonal functioning.
  • Diverse subtypes: There are ten different personality disorders recognized in the DSM-5-TR, including borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text revision). American Psychiatric Association.  

• Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2019). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Sample Answer

Mood Disorder

• Definition: Mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, are mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state. They involve significant disturbances in mood, such as prolonged periods of sadness, elation, or irritability.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Persistent and intense emotions: These emotions go beyond normal fluctuations in mood and significantly impact daily functioning.
  • Impact on daily life: Mood disorders can interfere with work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
  • Various types: This category encompasses a range of conditions, including depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.