Lesson 16: Mood Disorder

Attention

Review the American Association of Suicidology "Elderly Suicide Fact Sheet"

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify ways in which normal loss and clinical depression are different
  • List ways in which Mental Health workers provide services for individuals who experience loss

Teaching

Depressive Disorders

The DSM-5 classifies Depressive Disorders as follows:

  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (formally Dysthymia)
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Substance/Medication Induced Depressive Disorder
  • Distruptive Mood Disregulation Disorder
  • Depressive Disorder due to another medical condition
  • Other Specified Depressive Disorder
  • Read about a brief description of each of the Depressive Disorders

Depression vs. Loss

As we age we experience more and more loss. We may feel loss of spouses, friends, etc who die. We may also feel loss and pain from opportunities that have passed us by, or regrets. Most people deal well with most loss with adequate social networks, supports, and coping mechanisms. If symptoms persist for 4-6 weeks, we may be looking at clinical depression.

Here are the signs to look for:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Lack of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
  • Inappropriate guilt / feelings of worthlessness / hopelessness
  • Lack of energy
  • Concentration difficulties and indecisiveness
  • Lack of appetite
  • Psychomotor agitation or retardation
  • Suicidal ideation, plans, or attempts

However, even grief professionals disagree between what is normal and abnormal reaction to loss.

Read Depression vs. Complicated Grief and The Difference Between Grief and Depression, The DSM V

There is a new catergory for futher review in the DSM-5 called Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder. Read about it in the link below:

Persistent-Complex-Bereavement-Disorder-DSM-5

Assessment

Lesson 16 Quiz

  1. Pick one of the Depressive Disorders listed. Indicate the symptoms and one or two treatment options.
  2. Explain your learning in this lesson about the difference between grief and depression. Include links to resources you used. You can use additional resources besides those included in this lesson.