What is an example of a mood disorder where a person may have extreme highs and lows that are not associated with outside events?

What is an example of a mood disorder where a person may have extreme highs and lows that are not associated with outside events?

• A. Major depressive disorder
• B. Bipolar disorder
• C. Schizophrenia
• D. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Answer: (B)

Extreme highs and lows without a clear link to outside events point to a mood disorder in which mood episodes occur independently of what’s happening around the person. That pattern is bipolar disorder, which includes manic or hypomanic episodes along with depressive episodes. Manic or hypomanic states bring elevated or irritable mood, high energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid talking or thoughts, and riskier behavior. Depressive states bring persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep and appetite changes, and feelings of worthlessness. The key idea is that these mood shifts are internal and not simply reactions to external circumstances. For contrast, major depressive disorder involves only depressive periods without the distinct manic or hypomanic episodes. Schizophrenia centers on psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations rather than sustained mood cycling. Post-traumatic stress disorder centers on trauma-related symptoms such as re-experiencing events, avoidance, and hyperarousal. So the scenario described aligns with bipolar disorder.

Extreme highs and lows without a clear link to outside events point to a mood disorder in which mood episodes occur independently of what’s happening around the person. That pattern is bipolar disorder, which includes manic or hypomanic episodes along with depressive episodes. Manic or hypomanic states bring elevated or irritable mood, high energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid talking or thoughts, and riskier behavior. Depressive states bring persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep and appetite changes, and feelings of worthlessness. The key idea is that these mood shifts are internal and not simply reactions to external circumstances.

For contrast, major depressive disorder involves only depressive periods without the distinct manic or hypomanic episodes. Schizophrenia centers on psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations rather than sustained mood cycling. Post-traumatic stress disorder centers on trauma-related symptoms such as re-experiencing events, avoidance, and hyperarousal. So the scenario described aligns with bipolar disorder.