5.4b - Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders: Depressive Disorders and Bipolar Disorders

depressive disorders

a group of disorders characterized by an enduring sad, empty, or irritable mood, along with physical and cognitive changes that affect a person’s ability to function

bipolar disorders

a group of disorders in which a person alternates between the hopelessness/lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania _{^{[formerly called manic-depressive disorder]}}

major depressive disorder

a disorder in which a person experiences 5 or more symptoms lasting 2 or more weeks _{^{(in the absence of drug use/medical condition)}}, at least one of which must be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest/pleasure

persistent depressive disorder

a disorder in which people experience a depressed mood on more days than not for at least 2 years _{^{[formerly called dysthymia]}}

bipolar I disorder

most severe form, in which people experience a euphoric/talkative/highly energetic/overly ambitious state that lasts a week or longer

mania

a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state in which dangerously poor judgment is common

-too much norepinephrine

bipolar II disorder

a less severe form of bipolar in which people move between depression and a milder hypomania

rumination

compulsive fretting, overthinking our problems and their causes