Mood Disorders and Severe Obesity: A Case Study

Abstract

Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), have a high prevalence and morbidity. Collectively, mood disorders are common and serious mental illnesses associated with substantial costs to individuals and society. In addition to mood disorders, overweight and obesity are also a public health priority. Mood disorders and obesity frequently co-exist. This chapter intends to provide an overview of both mood disorders and obesity, followed by studies examining the presence of obesity in mood disorders and mood disorders in obesity. The subsequent section will examine the emerging paradigm of the "metabolic-mood syndrome" and the various factors that characterize this relationship between mood and metabolism, including genetic, and environment risk factors. An examination of antidepressants and their impact on obesity will also be provided, specifically examining the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This chapter will conclude by revisiting the case study presented at the beginning of this chapter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)