Psychopathologies (bipolar/unipolar disorders)

What are the two affective disorders?

• bipolar disorder

• Unipolar disorder

What are the two symptoms of bi-polar disorder?

• mania

• Depression

What are symptoms of mania?

• feeling energized to take on unrealistic tasks

• Feeling euphoric (joy)

• Delusional

• Having little sleep

Symptoms of depression?

• loss of joy

• Sleep difficulties

• Little energy (talking slower, fatigue)

• Changes of food and sex appetite

What are the possible causes of affective disorders?

• genetics (hereditary)

• Postpartum depression that occurs after birth due to a decline of hormones

• Stress

How is stress linked to depression?

Women with recurrent depression show signs of HPA over-activation.

How does Over-activation of the HPA cause depression?

Because the HPA would release high levels of cortisol which causes it to prioritize where your energy should go to what functions

What causes the hippocampus size to shrink?

Over-activation of the HPA

What dysfunctions of the brain can cause depression?

• hippocampus (responsible for memory and learning)

• Prefrontal cortex (responsible for regulating emotions)

• Amygdala (responsible for fear and anxiety) and is seen to have over-activation in those with depression

how does MAO inhibitor drugs help with depression?

By inhibiting excess monoamine neurotransmitters from being broken down, it causes monoamine levels to increase.

What does an increase level of monoamine neurotransmitters do for depression?

Since there are higher levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, it causes a great release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine

What are the cons of MAO inhibitor drugs?

It can cause blood levels and pressure to increase and lead to cardiovascular disease and death.

How does tricyclic antidepressants help with depression?

It blocks the re-uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, making those neurotransmitters stay in the body for longer

How does SSRIs (Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibators) help with depression?

It blocks the re-uptake of serotonin so it can stay in the body for longer.

what is atypical antidepressants?

Antidepressant drugs that don’t focus on increasing serotonin levels.

How does atypical antidepressants help with depression?

It blocks the re-uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters, increasing their levels.

What are MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and SSRIs drugs categorized as?

Monoaminergic agonist drugs

Why is there a delay in drug therapy working?

Because the auto receptors send messages out to stop producing/releasing various neurotransmitters, which acts as an obstacle for the monoaminergic drugs.

What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression?

Hypothesized that depression is caused by an under-activation of the monoaminergic system.

What is a study that proves the hypothesis?

When tryptophan is depleted in the bodies of the subjects, they would relapse back to depression. By giving them the amino acid again, it causes them to not be depressed.

What does an increase in glucocorticoids (cortisol) lead to?

A decrease level of serotonin, leading to depression.

What are treatments for bipolar disorder?

• Mood-stabilizing drugs like lithium

• Carbamazepine

When is it recommended to take carbamazepine?

During the mania state of bipolar disorder since it will help prevent the generation of depression.

It wouldn’t be helpful if you were already in a state of depression; the drug isn’t helpful for bringing you out of it.