Module 8 – Mood Disorders

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering definitions, symptoms, treatments, and key concepts related to mood disorders, bipolar disorder, antidepressant and mood-stabilizing medications, and suicide assessment.

Mood Disorders (Affective Disorders)

Psychiatric illnesses characterized by pervasive disturbances in emotion such as depression, mania, or both, that interfere with daily life.

-most common psychiatric diagnosis associated with suicide

Major Depressive Episode

A period of at least 2 weeks with depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure plus four or more additional symptoms (e.g., weight change, insomnia, fatigue, worthlessness).

Depressed mood

o Loss of interest or pleasure

o Weight or appetite change

o Sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia)

o Psychomotor agitation or retardation

o Fatigue

o Inappropriate guilt or feelings of worthlessness

o Difficulty concentrating

o Thoughts of deat

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Clinical condition marked by one or more major depressive episodes without a history of mania or hypomania.

Anhedonia

Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities or inability to feel pleasure.

Rumination

Repetitive, intrusive thinking about distressing themes, common in depression.

Psychomotor Agitation

Excessive motor activity (pacing, hand-wringing) associated with inner tension.

Psychomotor Retardation

Noticeably slowed speech, thinking, and physical movement seen in depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Recurrent depressive episodes occurring in fall or winter; treated with light therapy.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic depressed mood for at least 2 years with milder symptoms than MDD.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood instability with numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and mild depression for ≥2 years.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Deliberate self-harm (cutting, burning) without intent to die, used to relieve emotional distress.

Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania/hypomania and depression.

Bipolar I Disorder

At least one manic episode, often with major depressive episodes and possible psychosis.

Bipolar II Disorder

Recurrent depression with hypomanic episodes; no full manic episodes.

Hypomania

Milder form of mania lasting ≥4 days without marked functional impairment or psychosis.

Mania

Distinct period (≥1 week) of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with severe functional impairment.

Rapid Cycling

Four or more mood episodes (mania, hypomania, or depression) within 12 months.

Flight of Ideas

Rapidly shifting, loosely connected thoughts characteristic of mania.

Grandiosity

Inflated self-esteem or exaggerated sense of importance seen in mania.

Pressured Speech

Fast, loud, nonstop talking that is difficult to interrupt, typical in mania.

Distractibility

Inability to maintain attention; easily drawn to irrelevant stimuli, common in mania.

Mood Stabilizer

Medication category (e.g., lithium, anticonvulsants) used to control manic and depressive swings in bipolar disorder.

Lithium

First-line mood stabilizer; therapeutic range 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; toxicity causes tremor, confusion, seizures.

Lithium Toxicity

Serum level ≥1.5 mEq/L producing symptoms such as nausea, slurred speech, ECG changes, possible coma.

Kindling Process

Hypothesized mechanism where subthreshold stimulation of neurons leads to full-blown mood episodes; anticonvulsants aim to inhibit it.

Valproate (Depakote)

Anticonvulsant mood stabilizer; monitor liver function and drug levels.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Anticonvulsant used for bipolar disorder; risk of agranulocytosis and drug interactions.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Anticonvulsant mood stabilizer; serious side effect—Stevens-Johnson rash.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Older antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) with anticholinergic and cardiac side effects.

-decreased bp, blurry vision, constipation, cardiac toxicity

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

First-line antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine) that block serotonin reuptake; safer overdose profile.

-headaches, sexual problems, agitation, n/v, higher risk of suicide the first two weeks of treatment

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine) increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

Headache, Excessive sweating, Insomnia, dry mouth.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Disinhibitors (SNDIs)

Agents like mirtazapine that enhance both serotonin and norepinephrine release; useful for insomnia and weight loss.

Drowsiness, weight gain, headache.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants requiring tyramine-restricted diet; risk of hypertensive crisis.

Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitor (SARI)

Class exemplified by trazodone; often used off label for insomnia.

can cause vivid dreams

Ketamine

NMDA antagonist given IV or intranasally for treatment-resistant depression; produces rapid symptom relief.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Induction of generalized seizure under anesthesia to treat severe depression or psychosis.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Investigational noninvasive brain stimulation therapy for depression.

Suicide

Intentional act of ending one’s own life.

Suicidal Ideation

Thoughts of self-harm ranging from passive wishes to active planning.

Lethality Assessment

Evaluation of the seriousness of a client’s intent, plan, and means to commit suicide.

Overt Suicidal Statement

Direct verbal expression of intent to die, e.g., “I wish I were dead.”

Covert Suicidal Statement

Indirect hint of suicidal intent, e.g., “Soon everything will be OK.”

No-Suicide Contract

Agreement that the patient will refrain from self-harm and seek help when suicidal thoughts occur.

Risk Factors for Suicide

Include psychiatric illness, prior attempt, substance abuse, chronic medical pain, social isolation, and access to lethal means.

Protective Factors Against Suicide

Marriage, religious involvement, strong social support, and effective mental health care.

Anxiety Disorders and Suicide

Conditions like PTSD markedly elevate suicide risk.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Psychotherapy focusing on relationship issues contributing to depression.

Cognitive Therapy

Treatment targeting cognitive distortions to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Behavior Therapy

Approach using positive reinforcement to increase adaptive behaviors in depression.

Hypothyroidism in Mood Disorders

Endocrine condition associated with depressed mood and rapid cycling in bipolar disorder.

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

Depressive or bipolar symptoms arising from drug or alcohol use.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Severe mood symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.