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Overview

Depression and mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, reflect disturbances or changes in mood from depression to mania (elation). With appropriate treatment, more than 80% of people with depressive conditions improve substantially. In addition to medications and psychotherapy, other specialized treatments for depressive illnesses include phototherapy (light therapy) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A few of the more common depression and mood disorders include:

  • Major depression - an extreme or prolonged episode of sadness in which a person loses interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
  • Manic-depressive illness Bipolar disorder- alternating episodes of mania ("highs") and depression ("lows")
  • Dysthymia - continuous low-grade symptoms of major depression and anxiety
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a form of major depression that occurs in the fall or winter and may be related to shortened periods of daylight