Major affective disorders are characterized by disordered feelings or emotions and include bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder involves extreme shifts between manic and depressive states, while unipolar disorder only involves periods of depression without manic episodes. Both conditions require long-term treatment including medication and therapy to control symptoms and prevent new episodes. Biological and genetic factors may contribute to the development of major affective disorders.

1. MAJOR AFFECTIVE
DISORDER

2. DEFINITION
Affect, as a noun, refers to feelings
or emotions. Characterized by
disordered feelings.

3. TYPES OF AFFECTIVE
DISORDER
• BIPOLAR DISORDER
• UNIPOLAR DISORDER

4. BIPOLAR DISORDER
• Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by
extreme shifts in mood ranging from a manic
to a depressive state.
• A person with mania will feel excited,
impulsive, euphoric, and full of energy. He or
she might engage in risky or unhealthy
behavior. Drug use, spending sprees, and
impulsive or unprotected sex are common
during manic episodes.

5. • The depressive episodes might bring on
deep sadness and hopelessness. Depression
causes a loss of energy and interest in
activities the patient once enjoyed. This
phase can include periods of too little or
too much sleep. Also, suicidal thoughts or
attempts may come with deep depression.

6. TYPES OF BIPOLAR
DISORDER
• Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I disorder will show at least one manic episode
and one or more major depression episodes. Bipolar I
disorder is equally common in men and women. The
first episode in men is usually mania. In women, the
first episode is typically major depression.

7. • Bipolar II Disorder
People with bipolar II experience major depression. But
instead of mania they experience hypomania. With
hypomania, a person will still exhibit high energy,
impulsiveness, and excitability. However, the mood is not
as extreme as full-fledged mania, and these patients never
experience hallucinations or delusions during a hypomanic
episode.
• Cyclothymic Disorder
This is a “mild” form of bipolar disorder, with mood swings
that are less severe and episodes shifting from hypomania to
mild depression.

8. • Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder
This type of bipolar disorder causes rapid changes in mood.
Sometimes a patient may have four or more episodes of
major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed symptoms
within a year. Some people experience more than one
episode in a week or even within one day. Rapid cycling
seems to be more common in people who have their first
episode at a younger age.

9. Common signs and symptoms of mania include:
• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic or extremely
irritable
• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

10. Common symptoms of bipolar depression
include:
• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
• Irritability
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Physical and mental sluggishness
• Appetite or weight changes
• Sleep problems
• Concentration and memory problems
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide

11. TREATMENT
Basics of bipolar disorder treatment
• Bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment. Since bipolar
disorder is a chronic, relapsing illness, it’s important to continue
treatment even when you’re feeling better. Most people with bipolar
disorder need medication to prevent new episodes and stay symptom-
free.
• There is more to treatment than medication. Medication alone is
usually not enough to fully control the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
The most effective treatment strategy for bipolar disorder involves a
combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and social
support.
• It’s best to work with an experienced psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder
is a complex condition. Diagnosis can be tricky and treatment is often
difficult. For safety reasons, medication should be closely monitored.
A psychiatrist who is skilled in bipolar disorder treatment can help you
navigate these twists and turns.

12. UNIPOLAR DISORDER
A serious mood disorder that
consists of unremitting depression or
periods of depression that do not that
alternate with the periods of mania.

13. SYMPTOMS
• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small
matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities,
such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra
effort
• Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss,
but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some
people
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

14. TREATMENT
Medication:
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors – drugs that inhibit
the reuptake of norepinephrine or serotonin.
• Electroconvulsive therapy - is a type of biomedical
therapy in which a brief electric current is sent
through the brain of a patient in order to produce a
chemical change.
• REM Sleep Deprivation
• Tricyclic Antidepressants- drugs that inhibits the
reuptake of serotonin.

15. CAUSES OF MAJOR AFFECTIVE
DISORDER
• Biological differences. People with depression appear
to have physical changes in their brains. The
significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may
eventually help pinpoint causes.
• Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally
occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in
depression. Recent research indicates that changes in
the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and
how they interact with neurocircuits involved in
maintaining mood stability may play a significant role
in depression and its treatment.

16. • Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones
may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during
the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from
thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other
conditions.
• Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people
whose blood relatives also have this condition.
Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved
in causing depression.