ABSTRACT
We have defined unipolar and bipolar mood disorders, i.e. ‘depression’, ‘manic depression’ and ‘hypomania’ as outlined in the ICD classification; what is required is an emotional understanding of the person’s experience. Using the approach as a framework, it is well recognised that many people do not match the textbooks, and we need to consider both the ‘form’ and the ‘content’ of the syndrome in the reality of people’s lives to understand what might be required to intervene positively. From the outset, mental disorders do not occur in isolation, affecting both the sufferer and how he/she experiences the world, and all involved with them, especially the family. Moreover, there is good evidence that there are often psychosocial stressors that can contribute to any of the mood disorders (Blakely et al. 2003; Kessing et al. 2003, 2004; Qin et al. 2003).
