The affective spectrum is a spectrum of affective disorders (mood disorders).^[1] It is a grouping of related psychiatric and medical disorders which may accompany bipolar, unipolar, and schizoaffective disorders at statistically higher rates than would normally be expected. These disorders are identified by a common positive response to the same types of pharmacologic treatments. They also aggregate strongly in families and may therefore share common heritable underlying physiologic anomalies.

Types

Affective spectrum disorders include:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder^[2][3]
• Bipolar disorder
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Bulimia nervosa^[2][3] and other eating disorders
• Dysthymia^[3]
• Generalized anxiety disorder^[3]
• Impulse-control disorders
• Kleptomania
• Major depressive disorder^[2][3]
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder^[2][3]
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Panic disorder^[2][3]
• Posttraumatic stress disorder^[3]
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder^[3]
• Social anxiety disorder^[3]

The following may also be present as co-morbidities for affective mood disorders

• Chronic pain
• Intermittent explosive disorder^[4]
• Pathological gambling
• Personality disorder
• Pyromania
• Substance abuse and addiction (includes alcoholism)
• Trichotillomania
• Irritable bowel syndrome^[2][3]
• Fibromyalgia^[3]
• Hypersexuality
• Migraine^[2][3]
• Cataplexy^[2][3]

Also, there are now studies linking heart disease.^[5]

Many of the terms above overlap. The American Psychiatric Association's definitions of these terms can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

See also

• Affect (psychology)
• Psychopathology

Footnotes