Major Affective Disorders

Affective disorders are psychiatric illnesses.  Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, and anxiety disorders are the most common affective disorders. The effects of these disorder are   difficulties in interpersonal relationships and the risk for substance abuse are major concerns. Affective disorders can result in symptoms ranging from the mild and inconvenient to the severe and life-threatening.

Major depressive disorder, also known as unipolar depression disorder, is a common, severe, and sometimes life-threatening psychiatric illness. It causes prolonged periods of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, with a considerable risk of self-destructive behavior and suicide. Major studies have identified Major depressive disorder is one of the leading causes of  disability and premature death.

Bipolar affective disorders are  various types and exhibit different symptoms bipolar I and bipolar  II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and hypomania disorder. Other names for bipolar affective disease include manic-depressive disorder, cyclothymia, manic-depressive illness and bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of manic episodes alternating with periods of deep depression. Bipolar disorders are chronic and recurrent affective diseases that may have degrees of severity, that worsen with time if not treated. Severe crises can lead to suicidal attempts during depressive episodes  or to physical violence against oneself or others during manic episodes. In many patients, however, episodes are mild and infrequent. Mixed states may also occur with elements of mania and depression simultaneously present. Some people with bipolar disorders show a rapid cycling between manic and depressive states.

The symptoms of affective disorders or mood disorders is shown in children and adolescents, as well as adults. However, children and adolescents do not necessarily experience or exhibit the same symptoms as adults. It is more difficult to diagnose mood disorders in children, especially because children are not always able to express how they feel. At any age, mood disorders put individuals at risk for other conditions at any age these symptoms may persist long after the initial episodes of depression are resolved.

What causes mood disorders is not well known. There are chemicals in the brain that are responsible for positive moods. Most likely, depression and other mood disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Life events may also contribute to a depressed mood.

Affective disorders sometimes run in families and are considered to be inherited. The factors that produce the trait or condition are usually both genetic and environmental, involving a combination of genes from both parents.

Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. However, mood disorders are more intense and difficult to manage than normal feelings of sadness. Children, adolescents, or adults who have a parent with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder. Life events and stress can trigger feelings of sadness or depression, making the feelings more difficult. These life events and stress can bring on feelings of sadness or depression or make a mood disorder harder.