The affective disorders of mania and depression are common psychiatric
diagnoses. The diagnostic and therapeutic categories for affective disorders
include psychoanalytical (oral fixation), psychopharmacological
(neurotransmitter imbalance), physical (acute & chronic disease), psychological
(low self-esteem), sociological (low social status), dietary (toxins & addictions),
and lifestyle (sedentary & solitary). In my experience, the most pragmatic and
effective categories are dietary and lifestyle, both of which empower the patient
to make immediate, constructive changes that may obviate the need for more
expensive treatment.

Competing interests:
None declared