What it means
In mental health, affective disorders are mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and a person's affectAF-ekt (stress on the first syllable)In mental health, the outward expression of a person's emotions, as seen in the face, voice and body language.Full entry is how their emotion shows outwardly, in the face, voice and gestures. In teaching, the affective domain covers attitudes, values and feelings, as distinct from knowledge (cognitive) and skills (psychomotor).
For the nurse
Describe affect in the chart with plain words, such as flat, tearful, anxious or bright, and note whether it fits what the client is saying.
Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
affect
In mental health, the outward expression of a person's emotions, as seen in the face, voice and body language.
mood disorder
A mental health condition in which a person's mood is far lower or higher than usual for a long time.