Affective disorders: Mood disorders
What are affective disorders?
Also known as mood disorders, they are a type of mental disorder characterized by significant and persistent changes in emotions or moods. This type of disorder mainly affects the patient's ability to regulate emotions, resulting in abnormal emotional states, such as extreme depression, excessive excitement, or rapid fluctuations in emotions. Affective disorders not only have a serious impact on the patient's mental health, but may also interfere with their daily life, interpersonal relationships, and occupational functions.
Main types of affective disorders
Affective disorders mainly include the following common types:
1: Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is one of the most common affective disorders, manifested as persistent low mood, loss of interest, loss of energy, low self-esteem, sleep and appetite disorders, etc. Patients may also experience inattention, self-blame, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The onset of depression usually seriously affects the patient's daily life and work ability.
2: Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a disease characterized by extreme mood swings, and patients experience depression and mania (or hypomania). In the manic phase, the patient shows high mood, increased activity, increased speech, good self-esteem, impulsive behavior, etc.; while in the depressive phase, the patient will have typical depressive symptoms. Bipolar disorder is complicated and has a great impact on the patient's life.
3: Persistent Depressive Disorder
Also known as dysthymia, it is a mild depressive state that lasts for a long time. The patient's low mood may not be as severe as depression, but it lasts longer, usually more than two years. This disorder affects the patient's quality of life, but the patient can still maintain a certain daily function.
4: Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a milder bipolar disorder in which the patient's mood fluctuates between mild depression and mild mania, but the symptoms are not enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for depression or mania. This disorder usually lasts for a long time, affecting the patient's emotional stability and interpersonal relationships.
5: Other related disorders
Emotional disorders also include mood disorders related to specific situations, such as postpartum depression (Postpartum Depression), seasonal affective disorder (Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD), etc. These disorders are usually related to specific physiological or environmental factors.
Causes of emotional disorders
The pathogenesis of emotional disorders is relatively complex and involves multiple factors, including:
1: Genetic factors
Emotional disorders have a certain genetic tendency. Studies have shown that among patients with depression and bipolar disorder, the risk of family members suffering from the disease is significantly higher than that of the general population.
2: Neurobiological factors
Emotional disorders are related to the imbalance of brain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), norepinephrine and dopamine. These neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating emotions, sleep, appetite, etc.
3: Psychosocial factors
Psychosocial factors such as stress, trauma, interpersonal relationship problems, and lack of social support may also trigger emotional disorders. For example, long-term chronic stress or major life events (such as bereavement, divorce, and unemployment) may induce depression.
4: Environmental factors
Seasonal changes, lack of light, changes in living environment, etc. may also be related to the occurrence of affective disorders. For example, seasonal affective disorder usually occurs in winter, which may be related to the reduction of daylight hours.
Symptoms of affective disorders
The symptoms of affective disorders vary depending on the type and individual differences, but mainly include the following aspects:
▸ Emotional symptoms
Depression: persistent sadness, despair, emptiness.
Mania: overexcitement, high spirits, irritability.
▸ Cognitive symptoms
Inattention, memory loss.
Low self-esteem, self-blame and guilt.
Pessimism, helplessness, suicidal thoughts.
▸ Behavioral symptoms
Reduced activity, social withdrawal.
Sleep disorders: insomnia or excessive sleep.
Appetite changes: loss of appetite or overeating.
Impulsive behavior: impulsive shopping, increased sexual behavior, etc. may occur during the manic period.
▸ Physiological symptoms
Fatigue, weakness.
Body pain, headache, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc.
Diagnosis and treatment of affective disorders
Treatment methods
▸Drug therapy
Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics are the main drugs for treating affective disorders. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used to treat depression, while lithium and valproate are often used to treat bipolar disorder.
▸Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy also plays an important role in the treatment of affective disorders. Common psychotherapy methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, etc. Psychotherapy can help patients adjust their cognitive patterns, improve their emotional regulation ability, and their ability to cope with stress.
▸Lifestyle adjustments
Regular work and rest, moderate exercise, healthy diet, and good social support also have a positive effect on improving the symptoms of patients with affective disorders.
▸Other treatments
For patients with refractory depression, physical therapy methods such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be effective. Prevention of affective disorders
Although the pathogenesis of affective disorders is complex and difficult to prevent completely, the following measures may help reduce the risk of onset or alleviate symptoms:
▸Maintain good living habits: regular work and rest, healthy diet, and moderate exercise.
▸Enhance psychological resilience: learn skills to cope with stress, such as meditation and relaxation training.
▸Seek social support: stay in close contact with family and friends and avoid isolation.
▸Timely intervention: seek professional help in time when abnormal emotions occur.
Affective disorder is a common mental disorder that may have a serious impact on the patient's quality of life and social function. However, through scientific diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, most patients can achieve significant improvement and restore normal life and work ability.
