Article
Article
Affective disorders
Article By:
Thase, Michael E. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Last reviewed:February 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.013750
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A group of psychiatric conditions, also known as mood disorders, that are characterized by disturbances of affect, emotion, thinking, and behavior. Affective or mood disorders are strong mental disturbances that interfere with daily life (Fig. 1). Depression is the most common of these disorders. About 10–20% of those affected by depression also experience manic episodes; hence, this condition is known as manic depression or bipolar affective disorder. The affective disorders are not distinct diseases; instead, they are psychiatric syndromes that probably have multiple or complex etiologies. See also: Bipolar disorder; Depression; Emotion; Mental disorders; Stress (psychology); Stress and depression
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