Anxiety disorders and affective disorders (or mood disorders) are the most prevalent clinical entities nowadays and, sometimes, they can generate a high sense of discomfort and impact on the overall functioning of a person and his or her environment.
As for Affective Disorders, we define them as a set of psychic alterations linked to moods that occur in an extreme and pathological way and interfere significantly in the functionality of the person, with a deep suffering, deteriorating self-esteem, the way of interpreting the world and the situations that occur in it, and moving away from the coherence and objectivity with which things really happen.
People suffering from affective disorders may have altered attributions of cause and responsibility, with very negative consequences in the emotional, cognitive and behavioral spheres.
They represent a serious problem for the person, since they interfere in the way of relating to the world and the whole set of interactions with the rest of subjects that are part of their environment, causing excessive vital anguish.
What are the different types?
Within the affective disorders the most frequent are:
- Major depressive disorder: prolonged and persistent periods of extreme sadness.
- Bipolar disorder: also called “manic depression” or “bipolar affective disorder”; this is a depression that alternates between moments of depression and mania.
- Seasonal affective disorder: a form of depression that is most often related to having fewer hours of sunlight in more northerly and southerly latitudes from late fall to early spring.
- Cyclothymic disorder: a disorder that causes somewhat less extreme emotional ups and downs than bipolar disorder, but usually more frequent.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: mood swings and irritability that occur during the premenstrual phase of a woman’s cycle and disappear with the onset of menstruation.
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): long-term form of depression (more than 2 years of evolution).
What symptoms can indicate that we are dealing with a disorder of this type?
The symptoms and signs that we can suffer in an affective disorder is variable and can range in a wide spectrum of intensity in different areas, so it is important to be guided by your doctor so you can be advised if you observe you or your environment significant changes in mood, mood, irritability, apathy, changes in the sense of pleasure, changes in the ability to enjoy things that previously enjoyed, changes in sleep rhythm, changes in appetite, etc..
The symptoms associated with different clinical entities can be found in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5), currently the most widely used and which classifies the most common symptoms in each pathology.
Among the symptoms you may notice, it is worth mentioning:
- Depressed mood most of the day.
- Anhedonia or marked decrease in interest or pleasure in almost all activities.
- Clinically significant weight loss or increased or decreased appetite
- Insomnia or hypersomnia / decreased need for sleep
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Fatigue or loss of energy / increased activity, energy or agitation
- Excessive or inappropriate feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness/distractedness
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
- Abnormal episodes of optimism, nervousness or tension
- Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
- Making poor decisions, such as compulsive shopping, risky sexual practices, or ill-considered investments
What can lead to an affective disorder?
Three types of etiopathogenic factors are considered in affective disorders: genetic, biological and social. Affective disorders can have a biological and genetic entity and be precipitated or exacerbated by social or environmental situations.
When is it necessary to see an expert? What treatments are available for this type of disorder?
If you are concerned that you may have a mood disorder, if you feel that your emotions are interfering with your work, relationships, social activities or other aspects of your life, make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional as soon as possible.
The mood disorder is unlikely to go away on its own and may worsen over time. Seek help as soon as possible, as it may be easier to treat at first.
Treatment will depend on each clinical entity within the affective disorders, usually requiring psychotherapeutic intervention, psychopharmacological, other non-pharmacological therapies or a combination of several lines of intervention. Lifestyle factors, physical activity and nutrition may play an important role in the process.