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Citation |
Macmillan I, Young AH, Ferrier IN. Medicine (Abingdon) 2004; 32(7): 14-16. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2004, Medicine Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Mood disorders (including unipolar and bipolar disorders) are common and characterized by persistent abnormal mood, which may be elevated, depressed or both alternately. Both depression and mania can be accompanied by psychotic symptoms, hallucinations and/or delusions (abnormal beliefs), which are associated with a worse prognosis. Mood disorders account for 8.5% of the total disease burden in established market economies and more than 55% of the total disability caused by all psychiatric disorders. Current classifications of mood disorders recognize that the presence of periods of elevation of mood is crucial in distinguishing bipolar from unipolar disorder. Previous distinctions between, for example, endogenous, reactive and neurotic depression have largely been abandoned. About 50% of patients diagnosed with unipolar depression have some features of bipolar disorder on careful examination. This gives rise to the concept of a 'bipolar spectrum' that merges in to unipolar illness. The principal treatments for mood disorders are psychological, psychopharmacological and physical. Psychological treatments include cognitive and cognitive behavioural therapies, interpersonal psychotherapies and problem-solving therapy. These psychological therapies are particularly useful in mild-to-moderate depression and may be combined with antidepressant drug treatments. |