Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education Additional Supports ...

Positive Mental Health and Stress
Public Profile
Unit #3 Activity #4
Teaching Learning Strategy #4
Teacher Resource (Background Information)
Catholic Profile
Unit #5 Activity #2
Teaching Learning Strategy #3
Mental Health Disorder Research Information Ð Mood Disorders
Name of Disorder: Mood Disorders
General Description:
Mood Disorders refer to biochemical imbalances in the brain that cause persistent
changes in a personÕs mood, behaviour, and feelings for an extended period of time, and
which interfere with their everyday living. Major depressive disorder (depression),
bipolar disorder (manic depression) and seasonal affective disorder are three types of
mood disorders.
Signs/Symptoms:
Physical:
• Irritability
• Agitated and restless or decreased
activity
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too
much
• Fatigue / loss of energy
• Decreased or increased appetite
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
Emotional:
• Loss of interest in usual activities and/
or pleasure in life
• Sadness
• Sense of worthlessness
• Sense of guilt and feelings of
hopelessness
• Low self-esteem and lack of selfconfidence
• Can be thoughts of suicide and death
Possible Impact(s) on Life:
• Can have difficulty making it through the daily activities of life
• May experience significant weight loss or gain
• May experience difficulties at school or work
• May experience difficulties with home life
• May withdraw from friends and social activities (therefore reducing support network)
• Risk of suicide
Specific Disorder: Seasonal Affective Disorder
General Description:
Seasonal affective disorder is when an individualÕs depressive episodes usually occur
during the fall or winter months (October-April).
Specific Disorder: Depression
Major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression, is a biochemical disorder
that causes persistent changes in a personÕs mood, behaviour and feelings, for an
extended period of time, and interferes with their daily living.
Specific Disorder: Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression is a biochemical disorder characterized
by excessive mood swings ranging from manic episodes to depressed episodes over a
period of time.
Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education (PPL30), Module #2 Positive Mental Health and Stress
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