Mood Disorders

COVID-19 has spurred many changes leading to wider adoption of various technologies to support public health efforts. But even data collected for the greater good can have unintended negative or punitive consequences.

Frontline residents and fellows complain of “being forced to work harder than I can handle,” “being pushed to my limits,” “no availability of PPEs,” etc.

With their early age of onset, high prevalence, chronicity, and pervasive impact on multiple domains of functioning, the burden of mood disorders exceeds that of virtually all medical conditions in the US and globally in terms of disability, cost, and suffering.

There appears to be some confusion regarding the efficacy of aripiprazole in bipolar mania and depression and for preventing bipolar episodes.

An international task force of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder was recently convened to address concerns about DSM-5 criteria, particularly the definitions of manic episodes. The DSM’s duration criteria is an area of concern.

Assessment of suicidal risk in adolescents is a solemn professional obligation that involves obtaining as much information as possible from family members or caregivers. Evaluation of mood disorders is an essential part of the assessment.

ADHD can present with symptoms such as irritability, mood lability, low frustration tolerance and low self-esteem, making it easily confused with mood disorders and personality disorders.

Which medical condition-characterized by the rapid onset of delirium, mania, and psychosis-is linked with bipolar disorder? Take the 5-question quiz and learn more.

The impetus to consider inflammation as potentially relevant to the pathoetiology of domain-based psychopathology (eg, anhedonia) and/or mental disorders, is provided by a confluence of factors discussed here.

Treatments for borderlinity and bipolarity are quite different. What if just 3 items from a standard screening questionnaire could increase your diagnostic certainty by 30%?

Useful information about mood disorders in 3 key areas-bipolar disorder, comorbid ADHD and depression, and suicide risk.

Potential risk factors related to comorbid ADHD and depression, strategies for proper diagnosis, and treatment approaches.

Has DSM-5 made diagnosis of bipolar disorder more difficult? Answers to this and 5 other questions.

A 20-year-old college sophomore with “depression and anxiety,” who is exercising ferociously and who is literally dying to lose more weight sets the stage.

Personality disorders are arguably the most challenging for psychiatrists because they are difficult to diagnose and frequently coexist with psychotic, affective, and anxiety disorders.

Who is responsible for treating the adolescent and young adult with psychiatric issues -- and when and how should transitions in care occur?

Striking findings on the relationship between stress and depression.

The SRT polymorphism is one of the most well studied genetic variations affecting mood disorders. Once personal genetic information is readily available, can we help patients understand the implications of their results?

An interesting pharmacological approach in terms of anti-suicidal strategies is the use of lithium for treatment of patients with affective disorders. Details here.

An overview of select topics in clinical psycho-oncology, including assessment and management of delirium and brain lesions, mood and anxiety disorders, medication adverse effects, and existential death anxiety.

This study highlights the need to consider a holistic approach when discussing the problem of disruptive behavior in health care settings.

We have medications that can affect serotonin, norepinephrine, and-to a lesser extent-dopamine. Many other neurotransmitters are involved with mood disorders, but we have no medications yet to target them. Neurostimulation offers a non-systemic somatic approach to depression, often with an improved side effect profile. More in this Q&A.

What is the future of psychiatric assessment and treatment of mood disorders? The articles in this Special Report explore some important aspects and issues.

Here: the history of psychotic depression for the Study of the Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic Depression (STOP-PD), a summary its epidemiology, significance, diagnostic complexity, and treatment, as well as case vignettes.

This article reviews the most recent (after 2010) published guidelines on bipolar depression.