Affective disorders

Affective Disorders are a set of psychiatric disorders, also known as mood disorders. The main types of affective disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. These disorders involve changes in mood that affect an individual's everyday life, often leading to significant distress and functional impairment.

Definition

Affective disorders are characterized by a significant change or disturbance in mood. The individual's mood may be excessively low (depression) or high (mania), or fluctuate between these two extremes over a period of time (bipolar disorder).

Types of Affective Disorders

Depression

Depression is characterized by a persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral symptoms. It is one of the most common affective disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is characterized by episodes of mania and depression, with periods of normal mood in between. Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, overactivity, rapid speech, inflated self-esteem, and a decreased need for sleep.

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities. It includes disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders.

Causes

The exact cause of affective disorders is unknown, but they are believed to result from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.

Treatment

Treatment for affective disorders may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. The choice of treatment depends on the nature and severity of the affective disorder, the individual's preference, the availability of services, and other factors.

See Also

• Mental health
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Mental disorder