Mood Disorders and Treatments

Vocabulary flashcards for mental health review.

How is mood defined in MHA?

Refers to how a person is feeling, often assessed on a 1-10 scale (mood ruler).

What factors impact mood?

• Environment (trauma, stress),

• relationships,

• work,

• hormones,

• sleep,

• weather (e.g., Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Difference between low mood and clinical depression?

Clinical depression lasts 2+ weeks and requires intervention, making it difficult to feel happy; low mood is short term and passes

Signs of mania (must know)?

• High energy

• no sleep

• reckless behavior

• grandiosity.

• pressured speech

• psychosis

• flight of ideas

Signs of hypomania?

Similar to mania, but milder and without psychosis; more functional.

What is Lorazepam (benzodiazepine) used for and its risk?

A sedative used for calming, but highly addictive and increases falls risk.

What is Lithium used for and key side effects?

A mood stabiliser requiring regular blood tests; side effects include toxicity and tremor.

What is Quetiapine used for and its side effects?

An antipsychotic used in mood disorders; can cause weight gain and sedation.

What’s a serious side effect of Lamotrigine?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS): a severe rash that can be fatal

What is Sertraline?

SSRI antidepressant with a black box warning for increased suicide risk.

Difference between SSRIs and older antidepressants?

Keep serotonin in the brain longer and have fewer interactions and side effects than older antidepressants.

Serotonin Syndrome

Potentially fatal reaction to antidepressants; requires 3+ specific symptoms for diagnosis (e.g., agitation, tremor, hyperthermia).

Common side effects of antidepressants?

• Nausea,

• insomnia,

• dizziness,

• weight changes,

• dry mouth,

• tremors,

• fatigue,

• restlessness.

What is Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)

A mood disorder with alternating episodes of mania/hypomania and depression.

What are the types of BPAD?

Type 1 (includes mania) and Type 2 (includes hypomania).

Non-drug therapies for depression?

• CBT,

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,

• mindfulness,

• behavioural strategies.

Perinatal Depression (PND)

Depression during pregnancy or within 4 weeks post-birth.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and what does it treat?

ECT given under general anesthesia; effective for severe depression.

Physical treatments for depression?

ECT and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).