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$Unique_ID{BRK04066}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Organic Mood Syndrome}
$Subject{Organic Mood Syndrome Organic Affective Syndrome Dysthymia Major
Depression Cyclothymic Disorder Bipolar Manic-Depression Atypical Bipolar
Disorder}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1991 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
829:
Organic Mood Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Organic Mood Syndrome)
is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Organic Affective Syndrome
Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Dysthymia
Major Depression
Cyclothymic Disorder
Bipolar Manic-Depression
Atypical Bipolar Disorder
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Organic Mood Syndrome is a mental disorder due to physical causes.
Either "manic" symptoms of unusual euphoria or irritability, or "depressive"
symptoms of despondency, fear, anxiety, or suspiciousness may be present.
Other symptoms may be present as well.
Symptoms
Organic Mood Syndrome is a mental disorder due to physical causes. Patients
may feel either "manic" or "depressive." Manic symptoms include unusual
happiness, euphoria, emotional instability, restlessness, or irritability.
Depressive symptoms include sadness, lack of interests, anxiety, fear,
suspiciousness, irritability, panic, worry about health, tearfulness, or
brooding. Feelings of worthlessness, "persecution," delusions or
hallucinations may also occur.
Causes
Organic Mood Syndrome has an underlying physical cause. Reserpine or
methyldopa, which are drugs for treatment of hypertension, may cause
depressive symptoms. Endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism,
hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticalism, or hypoadrenocorticalism can cause
either depressive or manic symptoms. Carcinoma (cancer) of the pancreas,
drugs which induce hallucinations, or illness caused by a virus may lead to
Organic Mood Syndrome as may stroke, or other diseases of the brain.
Affected Population
Organic Mood Syndrome is a mental disorder due to physical causes which
affects males and females of all ages in equal numbers.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Organic Mood
Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Dysthymia is a common psychological disorder characterized by a chronic
but mild depressive state that has been present in an individual for more
than two years. During periods of depressed mood, there may be poor appetite
or overeating, an inability to sleep (insomnia) or oversleeping
(hypersomnia), low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration,
difficulty making decisions and feelings of hopelessness. (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Dysthymia" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database).
Major Depression is a mood disorder characterized by severe depression
with loss of interest or pleasure in all or nearly all activities for a
period of at least two weeks. Symptoms may include appetite disturbance,
change in weight, sleep disturbance, decreased energy, agitated or slowed
movements, feelings of worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt,
difficulty thinking or concentrating, or recurrent thoughts of death and
suicide. This diagnosis is made only after it has been established that
there are no underlying physical causes.
Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic mood disorder involving numerous
periods of depression and a mild form of over-elation and hyperactivity
(hypomania). Symptoms, which last at least two years, may be a little less
severe than those in Major Depression and in manic occurrences.
Bipolar Manic Depression is a mental illness in which intense mood swings
occur, usually with remissions and recurrences. Depressive symptoms may be
most common and can last at least a full day and perhaps several weeks or
longer. Manic symptoms may involve hyperactivity and feelings of
invincibility, happiness and restlessness. (For more information on this
disorder, choose "Manic Depression" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database).
Atypical Bipolar Disorder is a category for individuals with manic
symptoms who cannot be classified as having Bipolar Manic Depression or
Cyclothymic Disorder. For example, an individual who previously had a major
depressive occurrence now has an episode of mild manic symptoms that are not
of sufficient severity and duration to satisfy the criteria for a manic
episode. This can be classified as Atypical Bipolar Disorder; this illness
is also referred to as "Bipolar II."
Therapies: Standard
Once the underlying cause of Organic Mood Syndrome has been identified,
necessary steps can be taken to treat the patient. If it is due to a certain
drug, for example, other drugs may be prescribed instead; if it is caused by
another disease, treatment of that disorder may result in the disappearance
of the psychiatric symptoms. Counseling may also be of benefit.
Therapies: Investigational
As medical knowledge and technology advance more is learned about the human
body, side effects of drugs, and neuropsychiatric illnesses. In the future
it is hoped that scientists will be able to prevent disorders such as Organic
Mood Syndrome, when brain chemistry is better understood.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
January 1991. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Organic Mood Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-7722
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 524-7600
National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-2481
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20205
(301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752
(800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.)
References
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, 3rd Ed. rev.: R.L.
Spitzer, et al., eds; American Psychiatric Association, 1987. Pp. 111-112.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ORGANIC AFFECTIVE SYNDROME DURING A HYPERBARIC DIVING
EXPERIMENT. A. Stoudemire, et al.; Am J Psychiatry (Oct 1984; issue 141
(10)). Pp. 1251-1254.
MAJOR DEPRESSION VERSUS ORGANIC MOOD DISORDER: A QUESTIONABLE
DISTINCTION. B.S. Fogel; J Clin Psychiatry (Feb 1990; issue 51 (2)). Pp.
53-56.
MOOD CHANGES AFTER RIGHT-HEMISPHERE LESIONS. S.E. Starkstein, et al.; Br
J Psychiatry (Jul 1989; issue 155). Pp. 79-85.
ORGANIC MENTAL DISORDERS CAUSED BY HIV: UPDATE ON EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND
TREATMENT. S.W. Perry; Am J Psychiatry (Jun 1990; issue 147 (6)). Pp. 696-
710.