Mood Disorders & Suicide

Vocabulary flashcards covering DSM-5 diagnostic changes, mood-disorder subtypes, specifiers, etiological factors, key clinical concepts, and crisis resources.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

A DSM-5 depressive disorder marked by chronic, severe irritability and frequent temper outbursts in children.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A mood disorder featuring severe mood swings, irritability, and depressive symptoms during the pre-menstrual phase.

Mixed Features Specifier

A specifier indicating that an individual experiences both manic and depressive symptoms.

Bereavement Exclusion

DSM-IV rule barring major-depression diagnosis soon after a loss; dropped in DSM-5 to permit earlier detection and treatment.

Unipolar Depressive Disorders

Mood disorders characterized solely by depressive episodes, with no history of mania or hypomania.

Full Remission

Patient recover fully for at least 2 months between episodes.

Partial Remission

Patient partially recover while retaining some depressive symptoms.

Temporal Course

It refers to the pattern of changes in a psychological phenomenon over time, including it's duration, onset, and progression.

Why is temporal course important?

Its goal of treating mood disorders is somewhat different from those for other psychological disorders.

MDD Duration

At least one two-week episode of five or more depressive symptoms causing significant distress or impairment.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

It is the most common form defined by specific criteria including mood changes and functional impairment.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic, milder depression lasting at least two years, sometimes punctuated by major depressive episodes.

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder

Clinically significant depression resulting directly from drugs, alcohol, medications, or toxins.

Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorder featuring cyclical manic or hypomanic episodes alternating with depression.

Bipolar I Disorder

Requires at least one lifetime manic episode; depressive episodes may also occur.

Bipolar II Disorder

Involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode without any full manic episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood fluctuations with numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms for 2+ years.

Manic Episode

A ≥1-week period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood with increased activity or energy causing marked impairment.

Hypomanic Episode

A ≥4-day period of elevated or irritable mood and increased energy that is less severe and not markedly impairing.

Criterion A (MDD)

Five or more depressive symptoms in the same 2-week period, including depressed mood or loss of interest.

Criterion B (MDD)

Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas.

Relapse

Return of depressive symptoms shortly after partial remission, indicating the same episode persists.

Recurrence

Onset of a new depressive episode after a period of recovery from the previous one.

Genetic Influences

Evidence that genotype-environment interaction may increase risk for depression.

Monoamine Theory of Depression

Hypothesis that deficits in serotonin and/or norepinephrine underlie depressive symptoms.

HPA Axis Dysregulation

Abnormal stress-response (e.g., elevated cortisol) involving the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, linked to depression.

Left Anterior Prefrontal Cortex Damage

Neurophysiological factor associated with diminished positive affect and depressive mood.

Psychodynamic Theory of Depression

Proposes that depression stems from unresolved internal conflicts and anger turned inward after loss.

Behavioral Theories of Depression

Emphasize reduced positive reinforcement and maladaptive interpersonal or family dynamics.

Beck’s Cognitive Theory

Posits that negative automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions create and maintain depression.

Double Depression

Co-occurrence of persistent depressive disorder with superimposed major depressive episodes.

Psychotic Features Specifier

Hallucinations or delusions present during a depressive episode, requiring careful assessment.

Anxious Distress Specifier

Significant anxiety symptoms accompanying a mood episode, linked to poorer prognosis.

Mixed Features Specifier

It is characterized by depressive episodes that also exhibit at least three symptoms of mania, complicating the diagnosis.

Melancholic Features

Severe depression subtype with early-morning awakening, profound anhedonia, weight loss, and excessive guilt.

Atypical Features

Depression characterized by mood reactivity, hypersomnia, hyperphagia, and leaden paralysis.

With Catatonic Features

A range of psychomotor symptoms from motoric immobility to extensive psychomotor activity, as well as mutism and rigidity.

Peripartum Onset Specifier

The period of time just before and just after birth because of minor reactions in adjustment to childbirth (baby blues).

Rapid-Cycling Specifier

An individual move quickly in and out of depressive of manic episodes. For instance, someone with bipolar disorder experiences at least 4 manic or depressive symptoms within a year.

Rapid Switching/ Rapid Mood Switching

It is the direct transition from one mood state to another.

Seasonal Pattern (SAD) Specifier

Depressive episodes that recur during specific seasons, most often winter.

Acute Grief

Initial intense reaction to loss that can resemble depression but is time-limited and expected.

Integrated Grief

Later mourning stage where the person accepts the loss but may feel transient grief during anniversaries.

Suicidal Ideation

Thoughts about suicide ranging from fleeting considerations to detailed planning.

Suicidal Intent

Clear determination to act on suicidal thoughts, usually accompanied by planning or preparation.

Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorder

DSM-5 category for bipolar presentations that do not meet full criteria for a specific bipolar disorder but cause impairment.

Antidepressants

These are medications that can help control symptoms and restore neurotransmitter functioning.

Lithium

It is the preferred drug for bipolar disorder but dodage must be carefully regulated since side effects can be serious.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

It helps individuals to replace their negative depressive thoughts and attributions with more positive ones, and develop more effective coping behaviors and skills.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

It focuses on the social and interpersonal trigger for the depression and develop skills to resolve interpersonal conflicts and build new relationships.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

It is used when other psychosocial treatments have been ineffective, although it has temporary side effects such as memory loss and lethargy.

Light Therapy

It is the exposure to direct sunlight or artificial light at controlled wavelengths, common in treating patients with seasonal affective disorder.

HOPELINE

24/7 confidential crisis hotline in the Philippines providing immediate emotional support.

NCMH Crisis Hotline

Round-the-clock National Center for Mental Health hotline offering free, compassionate support.

Crisis Line by In Touch

Free, anonymous Philippine hotline with trained responders available 24/7 for emotional support.