Prevalence+of+Mood+Disorders

= Prevalence of Mood Disorders =

• Mood disorders in children are fundamentally similar to mood disorders in adults. • Symptoms of depression are increasing dramatically in our elderly population. • The experience of anxiety across cultures varies, and it can be difficult to make comparisons, especially, for example, when we attempt to compare subjective feelings of depression. • Some of the latest theories on the causes of depression are based, in part, on research into the relationship between anxiety and depression. Anxiety almost always precedes depression, and everyone with depression is also anxious. (Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 2008).

In Children and Adolescents: Some research has indicated that it is possible for even a 3 month old infant to become depressed at such a young age. Young children can express their depressive moods by facial expressions and how they interact with adults and other children. The following chart will give examples of symptoms that may be felt by each individual age starting from 0 months up to 18 years.

(Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 2008)
 * **Adult Symptoms** || **0-36 months** || **3-5 years** || **6-8 years** || **9-12 years** || **13-18 years** ||
 * Dysphoric Mood || sad, expressionless face, gaze aversion, staring, irritability || sad expresion, labile mood, irritability || prolonged unhappiness, irritability || sad expression, apathy, irritability || sad expression, apathy, irritability, complaints about depression ||
 * **Loss of Interest** || no social play || decreased socialization || decreased socialization || adult presentation || adult presentation ||
 * **Appetite/Weight Change** || feeding issues || feeding issues || adult presentation || adult presentation || adult presentation ||
 * **Insomnia/Hypersomnia** || sleep issues || sleep issues || sleep issues || adult presentation || adult presentation ||
 * **Psychomotor Agitation** || tantrums, irritabiity || tantrums, irritability || tantrums, irritability || aggressive behaviour || aggressive behaviour ||
 * **Psychomotor Retardation** || lethargy || lethargy || lethargy || lethargy || adult presentation ||
 * **Loss of Energy** || lethargy || lethargy || lethargy || lethargy || adult presentation ||
 * **Feelings of Worthlessness** ||  || low self-esteem || low self-esteem || low self-esteem, guilt || guilt ||
 * **Dimished Concentration** ||  ||   || poor school performance || poor school performance || poor school performance ||
 * **Recurrent thoughts of Death/Suicide** ||  || accident prone || accident prone, morbid outlook || adult presentation || adult presentation ||
 * **Anxiety** || separation/attachment issues || school phobia || phobia, separation anxiety || phobia, separation anxiety || adult presentation ||
 * **Somatic Complaints** ||  || present || present || present || present ||

__**In the Elderly:**__ "Depression among the elderly is a serious problem that can be difficult to dianose because the symptoms are often similar to those of physical ilness or dementia " (Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 2008).

Across Cultures: We noted the strong tendency of anxiety to take physical or somatic forms in some cultures; instead of talking about fear, panic, or general anxiety, many people describe stomachaches, chest pains or heart distress, and headaches. Much the same tendency exists across cultures for mood disorders, which is not surprising given the close relationship of anxiety and depression."(Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 2008).

**__Among the Creative:__** "Many artists and writers, whether suspected of mood disorders or not, speak of periods of inspiration when thought processes quicken, moods lift, and new associations are generated... the genetic patterns associated with bipolar disorder may also carry the spark of creativity" (Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 2008).