MSE-Mood & Affect
Mood is the sustained or longitudinal [over a period of time] emotional state
Affect is the cross sectional [At any specific point of time] emotional state
Limbic system:
Neuro-anatomical Substrate of Emotions – LIMBIC SYSTEM
Regulation of Emotions – Function of Frontal Lobe
Characteristics of mood & affect:
Quality-
- Euphoric Mood
- Depressed Mood
Fluctuations-
- Labile Mood – Excessive Variation in mood without apparent reason (Seen in Mania)
- Affective Flattening – Absence of mood change irrespective of situation (Seen in Schizophrenia)
Appropriateness & Congruency-
- Appropriateness of affect is described in relation to social situation
- Congruency of mood is described in relation to the thought content of the person
Alexithymia – Inability to understand emotions of others or express emotions of self
Anhedonia – Loss of capacity to experience pleasure [unable to enjoy anything in life]


