FRP 1

Running Head: Activity 36

Psy 7700 Psychopharmacology
Activity 36: Final Research Paper
David L. Alexander
California Southern University
College of Behavioral Sciences

FRP 2
I decided to choose mood disorders as their appears to be a genetic pre-disposition in my family history to it. There have also been members of my wife’s family who have exhibited mood disorders. I therefore chose this class to attempt a comprehensive review of the use and impact of psychopharmacological agents as part of the treatment regimen for their symptoms.
Causes of Mood Disorders
According to (NIMH) the National Institute of Mental Health (2009), the causes of mood disorders at this time are not completely understood.
If there is a history of a mood disorder in any family members, their treatment and its effectiveness should be discussed.

FRP 5
Despite being serious and common disorders, the Surgeon General (2009) reports that mood disorders are highly under diagnosed, and suggest many reasons for this. The stigma attached to seeking help for any potential mental health condition, the fact that mood disorders may be overlooked in pregnancy and medical conditions with similar symptoms, and diagnosis in adolescents may be difficult because many adults may expect moodiness in teens. Also children may be difficult to diagnose because of confusion with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which may also exist alongside mood disorders, and ADHD and mood disorders must be identified separately because they require different treatment. Escamilla (2001) notes that mood disorders are not diagnosed if certain other mental illnesses, particularly ongoing substance abuse or psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder), are present.
According to the DSM IV-TR (2000) when major depressive episodes occur in patients with no history of manic, hypomanic or mixed episodes, major depression may be diagnosed. The diagnosis of an episode of major depression requires that symptoms must be severe enough to cause distress or impairment in function and last