Psychological Disorders: Mood, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Eating Disorders

Chapter 5: Mood Disorders and Suicide

Affect

Affect refers to the observable expression of emotion. It is a key component in diagnosing mood disorders, as changes in affect can indicate underlying psychological conditions.

• Mood Dysphoria: Persistent feelings of sadness or depression.

• Mood Euphoria: Persistent feelings of elation or elevated mood.

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode, often accompanied by depressive episodes.

• Manic Episode: Period of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity.

• Symptoms: Inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased goal-directed activity, risky behaviors.

• Age of Onset: Typically late adolescence or early adulthood.

• Duration: Manic episodes last at least one week.

• Statistics: Equal gender ratio; prevalence about 1%.

• Causes: Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances, stressful life events.

• Treatment: Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium), psychotherapy.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, but no full manic episodes.

• Hypomanic Episode: Less severe than mania; lasts at least four days.

• Symptoms: Similar to mania but less intense; no psychosis.

• Statistics: Slightly more common in females.

• Treatment: Similar to Bipolar I, with emphasis on managing depressive symptoms.

Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)

Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic mood disorder with fluctuating periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for full episodes.

• Duration: At least two years.

• Symptoms: Alternating mood swings, less severe than Bipolar I or II.

• Treatment: Mood stabilizers, psychotherapy.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

MDD is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes.

• Symptoms: Depressed mood, loss of interest, weight changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts.

• DSM-5-TR Criteria: At least five symptoms present during the same two-week period.

• Age of Onset: Late teens to early adulthood.

• Statistics: More common in females; lifetime prevalence about 16%.

• Causes: Biological (genetics, neurotransmitters), psychological (cognitive distortions), environmental (stressful events).

• Treatment: Antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression with less severe symptoms than MDD, lasting at least two years.

• Symptoms: Chronic depressed mood, low energy, poor self-esteem.

• Treatment: Similar to MDD, often requires long-term therapy.

Episode Specifiers and Course Specifiers

Specifiers provide additional information about the nature and course of mood episodes.

• Episode Specifiers: Melancholic, atypical, psychotic features.

• Course Specifiers: Seasonal pattern, rapid cycling.

Suicide

Suicide is a major risk in mood disorders. Understanding its types and risk factors is crucial for prevention.

• Four Types: Altruistic, egoistic, anomic, fatalistic (based on Durkheim's classification).

• Frequency: Higher in males, but females attempt more often.

• Causes: Mental illness, hopelessness, impulsivity, social isolation.

• Treatment: Crisis intervention, psychotherapy, medication.

Non-suicidal Self-Injury

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) involves deliberate harm to oneself without suicidal intent, often as a coping mechanism.

• Examples: Cutting, burning.

• Treatment: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), CBT.

Frequency, Gender/Race Differences, and Causes of Suicide

Suicide rates vary by demographic factors and are influenced by multiple causes.

• Gender: Males more likely to die by suicide; females more likely to attempt.

• Race: Rates vary; higher in some ethnic groups.

• Causes: Mental illness, substance abuse, trauma.

Treatment of Suicidal Individuals

Effective treatment involves immediate safety measures and long-term therapy.

• Approaches: Hospitalization, psychotherapy, medication.

• Effectiveness: Combination of therapy and medication is most effective.

Chapter 6: Anxiety and Related Disorders

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, often about an imminent event or uncertain outcome.

• Excessive Worry: Persistent, uncontrollable worry about various topics.

• Fear: Emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.

• Examples: Avoiding crowded places, public transportation.

• Treatment: Exposure therapy, CBT.

Specific Phobia

Specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.

• Examples: Fear of spiders, heights, flying.

• Treatment: Systematic desensitization, exposure therapy.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder involves intense fear of social situations where one may be scrutinized.

• Symptoms: Avoidance of social events, fear of embarrassment.

• Treatment: CBT, social skills training.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple aspects of life.

• Symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability.

• Treatment: CBT, medication (SSRIs).

Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

Panic Disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more attacks.

• Panic Attack: Sudden onset of intense fear, physical symptoms (heart palpitations, sweating, trembling).

• Treatment: CBT, medication.

Chapter 6: Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts; compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.

• Examples: Obsession with cleanliness; compulsion to wash hands repeatedly.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by persistent obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily functioning.

• Symptoms: Repetitive thoughts and behaviors.

• Treatment: Exposure and response prevention, medication (SSRIs).

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance.

• Symptoms: Excessive grooming, seeking reassurance.

• Treatment: CBT, medication.

Excoriation Disorder

Excoriation Disorder is characterized by recurrent skin picking resulting in skin lesions.

• Symptoms: Picking at skin, often causing damage.

• Treatment: Behavioral therapy.

Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding Disorder involves persistent difficulty discarding possessions, leading to cluttered living spaces.

• Symptoms: Accumulation of items, distress at discarding.

• Treatment: CBT.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is the recurrent pulling out of one's hair, resulting in hair loss.

• Symptoms: Hair pulling, tension before and relief after.

• Treatment: Habit reversal training.

Comorbidity

Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more disorders in the same individual.

• Examples: OCD and depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Chapter 10: Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.

• Restricting-type: Weight loss through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

• Binge-Eating/Purging Type: Regular episodes of binge eating or purging (vomiting, laxatives).

• Medical Complications: Heart problems, bone loss, amenorrhea.

• Treatment: Nutritional rehabilitation, psychotherapy.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (purging, fasting).

• Symptoms: Binge eating, inappropriate compensatory behaviors, self-evaluation influenced by body shape and weight.

• Treatment: CBT, medication.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food without compensatory behaviors.

• Symptoms: Eating rapidly, eating until uncomfortably full, feelings of guilt.

• Treatment: CBT, medication.

Comorbid Disorders

Eating disorders often co-occur with other psychological disorders.

• Examples: Depression, anxiety, substance abuse.

Disorder	Key Symptoms	Age of Onset	Gender Ratio	Treatment
Bipolar I	Manic episodes, depressive episodes	Late adolescence/early adulthood	Equal	Mood stabilizers, psychotherapy
Major Depressive Disorder	Depressed mood, loss of interest	Late teens/early adulthood	More females	Antidepressants, CBT
Generalized Anxiety Disorder	Excessive worry, restlessness	Adulthood	More females	CBT, SSRIs
OCD	Obsessions, compulsions	Childhood/adolescence	Equal	CBT, SSRIs
Anorexia Nervosa	Food restriction, fear of weight gain	Adolescence	More females	Nutritional rehab, psychotherapy

Additional info: Academic context and definitions were expanded for clarity and completeness. DSM-5-TR criteria are referenced but not quoted due to copyright restrictions. Table entries are inferred from standard textbook knowledge.