The term Mood Disorders include a number of diseases which are broadly classified in two categories depending on whether an individual is having either manic or depressive episodes. Clinically one can easily distinguish mood disorders into two broad categories i.e. Major depressive disorder and Manic depressive illness

 

The term Mood Disorders include a number of diseases which are broadly classified in two categories depending on whether an individual is having either manic or depressive episodes. Clinically one can easily distinguish mood disorders into two broad categories –

• Major depressive disorder
• Manic depressive illness

Major depressive disorder

It is also known as major depression, clinical depression and also sometimes referred to as unipolar depression. It is a type of mood disorder in which there are bouts or episodes of depression only which are not accompanied with the episodes of mania. As it is depression without episodes of mania so it is sometimes referred to as unipolar disorder as the disease remains confined to single pole. In this condition a person feels low or sad for a very long period of time which is usually longer than the normal feeling of hopelessness and it may often result in abnormal functioning of a patient.

Signs and symptoms

• Uncoordinated limb movement
• Loss of appetite
• Generalized diffused pain in the body
• Weight fluctuations more than average
• Decreased sexual urge
• Constipation
• Lack of interest In any of the activities
• Disturbed sleep habits that is either insomnia or excessive sleep
• Suicidal tendencies or suicidal thoughts may trouble the patient
• Feeling of guilt, tiredness and fatigue

Causes

• Various factors like environment surrounding an individual can play a crucial role, like some stressful situation of monetary loss and so
• Scientists are trying to correlate some hormones and brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters whose constant abnormal  levels are demonstrated in some advanced studies
• It has been observed that an individual is more susceptible for depression if he/she is having a family history of depression that is if someone in the family had either suffered or is suffering with depression. Taking this into account the scientists are trying to find out any correlation between the clinical depression and gene.
• Alcohol abuse or any other drug abuse correlation has been seen in some cases
• There are some individuals with particular personality like over pessimistic, low self esteemed are more susceptible to the disorder
• Long term use of certain drugs an medications like sleeping pills, birth control pills are also the risk factors associated with the cases of depression
• Some patients of chronic diseases like Cancer, HIV etc can progress into depression

Types of depression

Depending on evolution and course various subtypes of depression are recognized

• Atypical depression
• Catatonic depression
• Melancholic depression
• Psychotic depression
• Postpartum depression
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Cyclothymia
• Dysthymia
• Schizoaffective disorders

Treatment and drugs

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram etc. can be used depending on case to case basis
• Tricyclic antidepressants are also used in some cases but due to their more pronounced and more severe side effects they always come after SSRI’s
• Various other medications including some antipsychotic drugs and MAO inhibitors i.e. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors can also be used
• Electro convulsive therapy or shock therapy can be used to treat the severe cases of depression
• Other options which can be used along with the medications are psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy