Psychiatric illnesses describe conditions in which the mind is predominantly affected. As our understanding of how the mind and brain works, psychiatric diseases are being increasingly treated like chronic illnesses, which means that they may require lifelong treatment. One category of psychiatric diseases is the affective disorders, which describes several different ailments.
Identification
Affective disorders, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, describe a group of psychiatric maladies that predominantly affect a person's emotional state, as opposed to conditions such as schizophrenia or dementia which affect memory and perception. This emotional disorders may result in other symptoms however, such as hallucinations and delusions; these auxiliary symptoms are secondary to the emotional changes.
Types
Affective disorders can generally be classified based on the changes in mood which they cause. Bipolar affective disorder, more commonly referred to as bipolar disorder, causes patients to experience periods of abnormally elevated mood and emotions coupled with periods of unusually depressed mood, the Mayo Clinic explains. Major depressive disorder, another common form of affective disorder, only results in periods of depressed mood. Patients may also develop seasonal affective disorder in which changes in the seasons can result in a mild form of depression.
Diagnosis
There are no blood tests which can be used to diagnose affective disorders, so diagnosis hinges on interviewing the patient about changes in mood and behavior. For example, patients experiencing manic episodes may engage in risky or unusually aggressive behavior, rapid speech, increased energy and sex drive, extreme optimism, spending sprees, racing thoughts and difficulty sleeping. Depressive and seasonal affective disorders, on the other hand, can result in low energy, dramatic appetite changes, decreased interest in formerly pleasurable activities and withdrawal from social situations, as well as thoughts of suicide. Doctors often will ask about specific symptoms and when they occur during the patient interview to try to make an accurate diagnosis. Blood tests may be needed, however, to rule out other medical conditions which could cause the symptoms, such as problems with the thyroid gland.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an important part of treating the affective disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients identify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors and works to teaches them to replace them with more positive activities and thought processes. Psychotherapy can also be used to help patients suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder understand some of the issues that can lead to their unhealthy behaviors and emotions, MedlinePlus explains.
Biochemical Correction
Affective disorders are rooted in changes in chemical levels in the brain. Patients who have affective disorders can take medications which can help correct the levels of chemicals in the brain which control mood and emotions. Lithium and anticonvulsants can be used to stabilize the mood of patients with bipolar affective disorder, the Mayo Clinic reports. Antidepressants can also be prescribed for patients with major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder and bipolar patients experiencing depressive episodes. In addition, light therapy, which involves exposing the patient to special wavelengths of light, can be used as part of the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, the American Psychiatric Association states.
