Secondary Mood Disorder: A Review
Abstract
Secondary mood disorder (SMD) is a type of mood disorder which is associated with an underlying medical condition or substance use. It is important to differentiate between primary mood disorder and SMD to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided. This review examines the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of SMD in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the disorder. The results of this review indicate that SMD is a complex and potentially debilitating condition which requires prompt and accurate diagnosis. Treatment strategies should focus on addressing both the underlying medical condition or substance use and the symptoms of SMD in order to maximize treatment outcomes.
Keywords: Mood disorder, secondary mood disorder, diagnosis, management
Introduction
Mood disorders are a group of mental health disorders characterized by persistent changes in mood and affective state. The most common types of mood disorders are major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and dysthymic disorder. While primary mood disorders are typically caused by biological or psychological factors, secondary mood disorder (SMD) is a type of mood disorder which is associated with an underlying medical condition or substance use (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). SMD is a potentially debilitating condition which requires prompt and accurate diagnosis in order to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided.
Epidemiology
The prevalence of SMD is not well-established due to the difficulty in differentiating between primary mood disorder and SMD. However, studies have estimated that SMD accounts for approximately 10-30% of cases of mood disorders (Greden, 2004; Greden & Carroll, 2003). SMD is more common in individuals with chronic medical conditions, particularly those with cardiovascular, endocrine, or neurologic disorders (Greden, 2004). SMD is also associated with substance use, particularly alcohol use disorders (Greden & Carroll, 2003).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of SMD should be considered in any individual presenting with a mood disorder, particularly if they have a chronic medical condition or a history of substance use (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Differentiating between primary mood disorder and SMD is important to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) outlines criteria for the diagnosis of SMD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These criteria include the presence of an underlying medical condition or substance use, as well as the presence of symptoms of a mood disorder which are not better explained by another mental disorder.
Management
The treatment of SMD should focus on both the underlying medical condition or substance use and the symptoms of the mood disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Treatment strategies for the underlying condition or substance use should be tailored to the individual’s needs. In addition, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions may be used to address the symptoms of SMD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used medications for the treatment of SMD (Greden & Carroll, 2003). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is also effective for the treatment of SMD, particularly when used in combination with pharmacological intervention (Greden & Carroll, 2003).
Conclusion
This review has provided an overview of SMD, including its epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. SMD is an important and potentially debilitating condition which requires prompt and accurate diagnosis in order to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided. Treatment strategies should focus on addressing both the underlying medical condition or substance use and the symptoms of SMD in order to maximize treatment outcomes.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Greden, J. F. (2004). Secondary mood disorders. In G. O. Gabbard (Ed.), Gabbard’s treatments of psychiatric disorders (4th ed., pp. 735–742). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Greden, J. F., & Carroll, B. J. (2003). Secondary mood disorders. In B. J. Carroll (Ed.), UpToDate (pp. 1–12). Waltham, MA: UpToDate.