Childhood Disabilities & Disorders

Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders


Mood Disorder includes disorders that have a disturbance in mood as the predominant characteristic. Two groups of disorders are commonly recognized; depressive disorders (unipolar depression; major depressive disorder), and the bipolar disorders (bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder). These disorder occur throughout the lifespan.
 

Major depressive disorder: the person has one or more major depressive episodes. The person has a highly persistent depression, and a loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities (lack of appetite, chronic fatigue etc.)
 

Bipolar I disorder: it is characterized by one or more manic episodes (abnormal elevated or irritable mood, arousal and energy levels) or mixed episodes (agitation, anxiety, fatigue, guilt, etc.). Major depressive disorder may or may not be present.
 

Bipolar II disorder: it is characterized by one or more Major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode (pervasive and elevated or irritable mood, as well as thoughts and behaviours).

 

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