An affective disorder among the following is:

ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Explanation

Affective disorders, also known as mood disorders, are primarily characterized by a disturbance in a person's emotional state or mood.
Bipolar disorder is a classic example of an affective disorder, defined by extreme shifts in mood from manic (elevated) to depressive (low) states.
The core feature of bipolar disorder is the pathological mood disturbance, which aligns directly with the definition of an affective disorder.

Option B: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, not an affective disorder. Its primary symptoms are related to thought processes, delusions, and hallucinations, rather than mood.
Option C: Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that lack a medical explanation. The primary issue is the physical manifestation of psychological distress, not a primary mood disturbance.
Option D: Phobic anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder. The central feature is excessive and irrational fear and avoidance, not a primary disturbance of overall mood.

Visual 1: Chart: A diagram illustrating the classification of major psychiatric disorders (e.g., Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, etc.) with examples for each category.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of psychiatric disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between major psychiatric classifications to anticipate patient needs, implement appropriate therapeutic communication, and administer medications safely.
For a patient with bipolar disorder, a nurse's priority is safety during manic phases (due to impulsivity) and suicide prevention during depressive phases. This differs from care for a patient with schizophrenia, where managing psychosis and promoting reality testing is key.
What if? If a patient presents with a flat affect (reduced emotional expression), it's crucial to assess further. While it can be seen in depression (part of bipolar disorder), it's also a classic negative symptom of schizophrenia. A thorough history is needed to differentiate and guide treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'affective disorder'.
Recall the definition of an affective disorder, which is a synonym for a mood disorder, meaning its primary symptom is a disturbance in mood.
Evaluate each option based on this definition.
Recognize that bipolar disorder is fundamentally a condition of extreme mood swings.
Classify the other options: Schizophrenia is a thought/psychotic disorder, somatoform involves physical symptoms, and phobia is an anxiety disorder.
Select the option that fits the definition of a mood/affective disorder.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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