SYMPTOMS RELATED TO MOOD

1.      Alexithymia- inability or difficulty in describing or being aware of one’s emotions or moods. The elaboration of fantasies associated with depression, substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

2.      Anaclitic- depending on others (relating to or characterized by a strong emotional dependence on another or others). Especially seen as the infant on the mother. Anaclitic depression in children results from an absence of mothering.

3.      Anhedonia- loss of interest in, and withdrawal from all regular and pleasurable activities. Often associated with depression.

4.      Apathy- dulled emotional tone associated with detachment or in-difference. It is observed in certain types of schizophrenia and depression.

5.      Bereavement- feeling of grief or desolation, especially at the death or loss of a loved one.

6.      Blunted effect- disturbance of affect manifested by a severe reduction in the intensity of externalized feeling tone. As outlined by Eugen Bleuler, it is one of the fundamental symptoms of schizophrenia.

7.      Constricted affect- reduction in the intensity of feeling tone that is less severe than that of blunted affect.

8.      Dysphoria- feeling of unpleasantness or discomfort, a mood of general dissatisfaction and restlessness (occurs in depression and anxiety).

9.      Emotional lability- excessive emotional responsiveness characterized by unstable and rapidly changing emotions.

10.   Euphoria- exaggerated feeling of well being that is inappropriate to real events. Can occur with drugs such as opiates, amphetamines and alcohol.

11.   Euthymia- normal range of mood, implying absence of depressed or elevated mood.

12.   Exaltation- feeling of intense elation and grandeur.

13.   Excited- agitated, purposeless motor activity uninfluenced by external stimuli.

14.   Expansive mood- expression of feelings without restraint, frequently with an overestimation of their significance or importance. It is seen in mania and grandiose delusional disorder.

15.   Flat effect- absence or near absence of any signs of affective expression.

16.   Free floating anxiety- severe, pervasive, generalised anxiety that is not attached to any particular idea, object or event.

17.   Hyperpragia- excessive thinking and mental activity. Generally associated with manic episodes of bipolar 1 disorder.

18.   Hypomania- mood abnormality with the qualitative characteristics of mania, but somewhat less intense (seen in cyclothymic disorder).