ABSTRACT
The animal body is recognized as having two major neural components: the visceral portion, innervating the internal organs, and the somatic portion, innervating the skeletal muscles and skin. Moods are persistent feelings and emotions that permeate every aspect of one’s psychological makeup. Although there are many affective states that are moods, the term “moods” often refers to states of persistent depression, elation, or the cyclic presence of both. Moods can be assessed by observation of everyday behavior and by reliance on the subject’s description of feelings. The Profile of Mood States is a questionnaire developed by D. M. McNier and collaborators to attempt to understand the psychology of emotions through information on subjective feelings, affect, and mood. The DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for major depressive episodes include persistent mood alterations and symptoms, dysphoric mood, or loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all usual activities and pasttimes.
