Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders

Last Updated (Wednesday, 31 December 1969 15:59) Monday, 08 September 2008 21:50

At any given time between 7 and 9.5% of the population of the United States fit the criteria for having a mood disorder.  This group of disorders is divided into Unipolar Depression, Dysthymia and Bipolar (Manic-Depressive) Disorders.  All are characterized by disruptions of mood, self-esteem, energy and impaired social functioning.  Bipolar Disorder is additionally characterized by dramatic swings in mood.  With the onset of a major depression the frequency of depressive episodes tends to accelerate unless treatment is instigated.  Major Depression if the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44.  
Major depressive illnesses often co-occur with physical illnesses, with other mental illnesses and with substance use disorders.  Between 24 and 40% of individuals who suffer with a major depression also have a substance use disorder.
There has been a longstanding debate among scientists about the co-occurrence of substance use disorders and depression.  Does one cause the other?  A recent study of twins suggests that although substance misuse (in this case marijuana use) and depression don’t directly “cause” the onset of the other disorder, that there is a definite connection between the disorders.  Having a depressive episode seems to potentiate the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder, and early use of these substances appears to greatly enhance the probability of later developing a major depression.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec3.html

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326

Lynskey, M.T., et al. Major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in twins discordant for cannabis dependence and earlyonset cannabis use. Archives of General Psychiatry 61(10):1026-1032, 2004.