ABSTRACT

The Glossary of Mental Disorders defines affective psychoses as ‘Disorders characterised by morbid changes of mood in the form of depression or excitement. They usually appear unprovoked, but may occasionally follow some form of stress. They have a tendency to recur and are self-limiting, i.e., reversion to the normal nearly always occurs in time and may be hastened with treatment.’ Two main types of this illness are seen in adolescence:

The manic type.

The depressive type.