ABSTRACT
Affective disorders are described as disturbances of mood, prolonged emotions that “color the whole psychic life” and generally involve either extreme depression or elation (American Psychiatric Association, 1980). Major affective disorder, in which there is a full affective syndrome, includes bipolar disorder and major depression (no history of manic disorder). Less pervasive affective disorders include cyclothymic (manic and depressive symptoms), hypomanic, and dysthymic (depressive) states.
