Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Unipolar (Depression) Disorder

 Definition


    Unipolar disorders (depression) manifest the emotional mood of the patient, which can be either elation or depression.  Out these two mood states individual need to suffer from one.

      One of the grand behavioral differences between manic and depressed patients.

     The manic patients may become hostile but rarely kills anyone or self.

     The depressed patients are prone to commit suicide, infanticide and homicide as well.

Introduction

          The continuum of behavioural response has two extremes i.e., mania and depression (UD episodes). The individual being diagnosed with UD needs to manifest the symptoms of either of the extremes. In unipolar disorder the reactions (manic or depressive) of the individual tends to be episodic and relatively for brief period of time. Interestingly, at the end of the episodes the individual regains normalcy. The frequency of occurrence manic episodes is more than the depressive episodes. The individual who suffers from manic type unipolar disorder (UD) tends to have more manic episodes than depressive state.

 

Characteristics of UD Episodes

          In unipolar disorder the individual suffers either from the two i.e. Manic reactions or Depressive reactions.

Manic reactions characteristics –

(i)       Excessive feelings of optimism and elation with unbounded energy and enthusiasm.

(ii)      Impaired concentration & judgment.

(iii)     Fast shifting of thought process from one topic to another.

(iv)     Extremely impatient and have lowered behavioural restraints.

(v)      Delusions of grandeur are common with extravagant plans.

Depressive reactions characteristics

(i)       Feeling of profound sadness & loneliness.

(ii)      Perceives everything as joyless and dark.

(iii)     Have feeling of extreme emptiness.

(iv)     Negativism prevails in thoughts and expectations.

(v)      Self-accusatory (e.g., committed immoral acts) and hypochondriacal delusions are common.

(vi)     Regards himself as worthless and unfit to live therefore have strong suicide ideation.

(vii)    Feels to have incurable disease which is destroying internal organs. 

 

Types of UD Episodes

 

Mania (Hypomania, Acute mania and Delirious mania).

Depression (Simple depression, Acute depression, Depressive depression).

 

Diagnostic Criterion

Manic state       

          The persistent, elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and goal-directed activity lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day. The three (or more) of the following symptoms are present to a significant degree.

1.       Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.

2.       Decreased need for sleep.

3.       More talkative than usual.

4.       Distractibility.

5.       Increase in goal-directed activity.

6.       Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences.

Depressive state

          Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the 2-week period

1.       Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, or observation made by others.

2.       Diminished interest or pleasure in all activities, nearly every day.

3.       Significant weight loss or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month).

4.       Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.

5.       Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

6.       Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt (delusional).

7.       Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.

8.       Recurrent thoughts of death and recurrent suicidal ideation.

 

Treatment

          The appropriate Medication and Behavioural therapy jointly can cure this mental illness.

 

(i)       Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (modification of maladaptive cognitions).

(ii)      Medications.

(iii)     Yoga.

(iv)     Relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, relaxation strategies, and meditation practice).

(iv)     Combination of Psychotherapy, medications, and relaxation techniques.

 

References:

1.       Coleman, C. J. (1988). Abnormal psychology and modern life. Bombay, India: D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co.

2.       NCERT. (XII). Psychology Book.

3.       DSM V Manual. Published by APA.

 

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