PSYB32H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Major Depressive Episode, Dysthymia, Cyclothymia
Document Summary
There are two broad types of mood disorders: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. Depressive disorders include major depression and dysthymia, and bipolar disorders include bipolar i disorder, bipolar ii disorder, and cyclothymia. Bipolar i disorder is defined by mania or mixed episodes. Bipolar ii disorder is defined by hypomania and episodes of depression. Major depressive disorder, bipolar i disorder, and bipolar ii disorder, are episodic. Dysthymia and cyclothymia are characterized by low levels of symptoms that last for at least two years. Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting as many as 16. 2% of people during their lifetime. Rates of depression are twice as high in women as in men. Bipolar i disorder is much more rare, affecting approximately 1% of people. Genetic studies provide evidence that bipolar disorder is strongly heritable and that depression is somewhat heritable.
